V-B Day

It could be argued that the most excruciating negotiations in the world have been the twice-monthly sessions of the Korean armistice commission in Panmunjom. Over the years the stalemated talks have turned into something of an endurance contest, with national honor at stake. After sitting down at 11 a.m. in their meeting rooms, the ten delegates--five representing North Korea and five (a South Korean, an American, a Briton, a Thai and a Filipino) for the U.N.--would not budge until one of the squirming participants broke down and in desperation moved for adjournment, usually late in the afternoon. On one particularly truculent day in April 1969, everyone sat tight for 11 hours and 38 minutes.

That record is safe. Last week, after only three hours in their chairs, the beaming delegates stood up and took a 20-minute break--a touch of civility that will become standard in future sessions. Thus, while the Korean conflict is still unresolved, the great Bladder War, as the Panmunjom talks have become known, is over.

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