Telegram Concerning Our Military Deployments During the Preparation and Conduct of Negotiations with the Enemy’s Representatives (July 2, 1951) Comrades Dehuai and Gao Gang [1], and Comrade Kim Il-sung: During the period of preparing for and conducting negotiations with the enemy’s representatives—approximately ten to fourteen days—you are requested to pay strict and thorough attention to the following points:

(1) Within these ten days, make every possible effort to reinforce the front-line troops by significantly increasing their manpower and, in particular, replenishing their weapons and ammunition. Comrade Gao Gang is instructed to expedite the movement of personnel, weapons, and ammunition from the rear areas into North Korea within this ten-day span. It must be ensured that once an armistice agreement is signed, the transport and redeployment of such personnel and supplies will no longer be permitted.

(2) Maintain the highest level of vigilance. All of our front-line armies must be prepared to repel a major enemy offensive prior to or during the negotiation process, while the enemy may also launch large-scale air raids against our rear areas in an attempt to force us into a humiliating capitulation. Should the enemy launch a full-scale attack, our forces must counterattack decisively and defeat them.

(3) The two corps under Yang Chengwu [2] and the 50th Army are to be ordered to move rapidly to their designated positions to prevent the enemy from seizing the opportunity to land at Wonsan. Meanwhile, the 38th, 39th, and 42nd Armies should be readied to deal with a potential enemy landing on the western front.

(4) You are to anticipate all possible scenarios that may arise after the conclusion of the armistice agreement and to formulate contingency plans accordingly.

Mao Zedong, 24:00 hours, July 2, printed from the original manuscript. Notes [ ] Peng Dehuai, who at the time served as Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. Gao Gang, who at the time was Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army. [2] Yang Chengwu, who at the time was Commander of the 20th Corps of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.