供覽
次官
課長

Tokyo, December 18, 1958

No.36
Dear Mr. President:
As reported by my cable Nos. MTB-087 of December 15, MTB-038 of December 15, MTB-090 at December 16, MTB -091 of December 16, and MTB- 093 et December 18, 1958, the 7th session of the Committee on Fisheries and Peace Line, the 12th session of the Subcommittee on Other Claims Regarding Korean Art Objects, the 15th session of the Committee on Legal Status of Korean Residents in Japan, the 24th session of the Sub-committee on Vessels, and the 3rd session of the Subcommittee on Other Claims Regarding General Claims were held at the Japanese Foreign Ministry on December 12, 13, 15, 16, and 17, 1958, respectively.
I. Committee on Fisheries and Peace Line;
Our side stated at this meeting that the Japanese "Gist of Draft Provisional Japan-Korea Agreement on Fisheries" as submitted at the 15th session on November 28 was toe far from the Korean position, and, therefore, the said Japanese proposal was not acceptable. Then, our side requested the Japanese side that the latter consider the sub-mittance of a new proposal which would be closer to the Korean position and be acceptable to the korean side.
The Japanese said that, if the Korean side was not satisfied with the said Japanese proposal which "had been submitted for the second time after every consideration," it raquest the Korea side to submit a counter-proposal on this matter so that the difference between the Japan's proposal and the Korean position could be clarified.
Our side stated in this regard that the Japanese wish would be convoyed to Delegate Chang upon his return from Seoul. Our side further said that, as to the difference between the Japanese proposal and the Korean position, the Japanese side would understand it very well since the Korean position had been manifested in the past conference.
We told the Japanese that the Japanese proposed area for prohibition of dragnet fishing was even narrower than the same prohibition area as set forth about 30 years ago.
II. Subcommittee on Other Claims Regarding Korean Art Objecte :
The Japanese side stated at this meeting that the basic policy of its Government regarding art objects had not been decided yet, though the matter of art objects was discussed at meetings of its higher officials held recently. Referring to the internal situation in Japan in connection with domestie politics, deliberation of budget, and the approach of the end of year, it added that it was with regret that it was unable to give a concrete answer to the Korean side on this matter.
In this connection our side, stating that the normal proceeding of our talks including the substantial discussions at this Subcommittee should not be delayed under the pretext of Japanese domestic circumstances, requested that the Japanese side give a constructive answer to the Korean request for return of art objects, thereby bringing about a good outcome on the question of art objects before the end of year. Our side added that to do so would not only be much condusive to the smooth operation of this Subcommittee but also to the proceeding of other committees' meetings.
III. Committee on Legal Status of Korean Residents in Japan
The Japanese side set forth at this meeting its official position and views regarding our draft agreement as has already been reported to Your Excellency in my cable No.MTB-090 of December 16, 1958.
Reserving the expression of our concrete views on the Japanese position for future sessions, our side made brief comment there on countering the Japanese views and regretted that the Japanese position as mentioned above was very far from the Korean stand.
In accordance with Government cable instructions FTB-029 and also Paragraph 6, Item 8 of Government instructions IJUNG 4355 of November 24, our side amended Articles 4 and 5 of our draft agreement as instructed thereby, withdrawing Resarvation Item 3 and Paragraph 3 of Article 7.
At this session, we are now able to grasp the picture of what the Japanese have in their mind in regard to the problem on our people in Japan. Therefore, from now on, our delegation will continue its effort to have the Japanese come closer to our terms.
IV. Subcommittee on Vessels.
Our side reiterated at this meeting that the Japanese side should give an early reply to our request for return of the vessels of Korean registry including the first list of 31 veseels of Korean registry submitted previously. However, the Japanese side again maintained that this Subcommittee would proceed to Agenda item B and, subsequently, to Agenda C and D with a reason of the existence of conflicting views between both sides regarding Agenda A.
It continued that unsettled matters including the matter under Agenda A would be taken up again for their settlement after discussions throughout Agenda Item B, C, and D.
In this connection, our side expressed regret that the Japanese side was delaying the settlement of the problem under Agenda A inspite of the slur legal basis of our claims in this regard.
Our side reiterated our position that the subcommittee should settle first the problem under Agenda A and only thereafter Agenda B would be taken up for discussions.
V. Subcommittee on Other Claims Regarding General Claims:
Our side stated at this meeting that, though the same eight (8) items of Korean claims as submitted at the previous Talks would be the subjects of discussions at this Subcommittee, in accordance with the Agreement Minutes of December 31, 1957, this Subcommittee would take up the items minus that on art objecte, singe the matter on art objects is being dealt with separately.
The Japanese side answered that, as its chief member Shoji was absent at this meeting, attending the Diet session, it was unable to give a prompt reply thereto, but that it would put forward its reply at the next session after studying the matter.
With the sentiment of loyalty and esteem, I remain

Most respeocfully
Ben C. Limb