From the S&S archives: Where U.N. wages war of words

Loudspeakers blare across the Joint Security Area of Panmunjom, amplifying each noise created in the Military Armistice Commission conference building ten-fold.

Prior to the entry of the commission members, the sounds of chairs scraping and papers shuffling fill the air as assistants prepare the desks. But, when the meeting begins, these sounds change to the solemn and significant words of nations grappling in negotiation, with the focus of world attention upon them and the broadsword of policy in their hands.

What is said and done here could very well make history and reshape the relationship between the two divided Koreas.

This is the 400th MAC meeting since the armistice was signed in 1953. On one side sit the United Nations Command representatives, on the other are the North Korean-People's Republic of China officials.

The Joint Security Area is strictly divided between north and south, reflecting the Military Demarcation Line that cuts the Korean peninsula. An inlaid band of cement blocks denotes the UNC and North Korean areas of control on the surrounding grounds of the conference building. Microphone cords, laid with surveyor's precision, run the length of the head negotiating table, completing the division.

It is across this line that the two sides sit poker-faced and discuss their grievances.

Outside, a battery of reporters flock to the windows to watch the scene unfold. Intermingled with them are the neutral nations representatives and some commission officials.

Everyone, except the senior members of both sides, is identified by armbands — blue with white letters for the southern press; green with white letters for the northern press; yellow for MAC members; red for the North Korean guards; black and white MP armbands for the UNC guards and red for staff support members.

The guards for both sides are armed with pistols and eye each other, and all others in the area, throughout the meeting, watching each movement with care and standing ready to react to any situation.

Inside, Rear Adm. Stephen J, Hostettler reads the first statement of the day — the meeting has begun and will run five hours with the commission members breaking only once during the day for a much needed 20-minute rest.

The UNC called the meeting to discuss three alleged North Korean intrusions into South Korean territory within a five-day period.

Hostettler first presents an overall view and then unleashes specifics of the allegations.

Each item of evidence is presented individually to the northern delegation. Weapons and other items of equipment are held up for view and evidence of their origin is presented. Maps and pictures are revealed with the sharp slap of a pointing stick.

Although each MAC member listens to simultaneous translations through earphones, the English statement is translated, in entirety, after completion of the statement, first into Korean and then into Chinese.

The North Korean statements are treated similarly, the Korean language statement being read by their senior member and then translated into English and Chinese.

While each side makes a statement, the staff of the other prepares an answer, working feverishly to react to items brought up in the other's statement.

And, so it goes throughout the meeting — a statement is made and translated, a reply is made and translated. It is an arduous and slow series of events.

Finally, all evidence is presented and replies, such as they are, are returned. The meeting is closed and the sounds of chairs scraping and papers shuffling signifies its end.