Telegram to Li Kenong [1] Regarding the Question of Allowing Journalists to Enter the Kaesong Area (July 12, 1951)  To Kenong, with copy to Kim and Peng [2]:  Upon the resumption of negotiations and when the issue of journalists is taken up, our side may agree that, once a complete agreement has been reached on the agenda, an equal number of journalists from both sides shall be permitted to arrive in the Kaesong area, provided they are not allowed to enter the conference hall.
The number of journalists should be estimated on the basis of how many our side can dispatch.
Our journalists will primarily be organized at the front; the Beijing authorities may also arrange for some journalists from the Soviet Union, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and other countries to go.
It is anticipated that there will still be many days of debate over the agenda before an agreement can be reached.
By that time, our side will be able to organize a contingent of journalists to proceed.
Mao Zedong  2400 hours, July 12  Printed from the manuscript.
Notes  [1] Li Kenong was then Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Central People’s Government.  [2] “Kim” refers to Kim Il-sung, Premier of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“Peng” refers to Peng Dehuai, Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.