701.0090/1758: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
1982. Your 4933, August 13. American interests Far East—repatriation. With reference to the statement “desiring to be agreeable to the American Government the Japanese Government is disposed to approve in as large measure as possible lists presented” the United States Government points out that for its part it has endeavored and continues to endeavor fully to meet the expressed wishes of the Japanese Government concerning the Japanese nationals to be repatriated in the forthcoming exchange and expects the Japanese Government fully to reciprocate in this respect.
It is noted that the Japanese Government states that certain of the persons named for repatriation are deceased, that others are too ill to travel and others do not desire repatriation, and that some are British subjects who should not be included in the American-Japanese exchange. However, it is noted that in most cases information is not provided which of these reasons apply to the specific individuals named and that the Swiss representatives to the extent that they are permitted contact with these individuals report that they all desire repatriation and are capable of traveling. In the circumstances, the United States Government is handicapped in commenting on the specific cases questioned by the Japanese Government.
The United States Government desires to be informed which of the persons other than Mrs. Florence Gonzales and George Bruce are deceased and which of them are too ill to travel. If there are individuals who allegedly are too ill to travel the United States Government wishes the decision to be made in each case by the individual concerned in consultation with the Swiss representative in charge of United States interests in the Far East. It is expected that the Japanese Government will provide on the Japanese exchange vessel the proper medical attention corresponding to the adequate medical attention which will be provided on the United States exchange vessel.
The United States Government has occasion to believe that two—possibly three—of the United States nationals specified by the Japanese Government may not desire repatriation. It does not require that United States nationals be forcibly repatriated but in reciprocity for its willingness to allow the Spanish Embassy representing Japanese interests in United States to communicate freely by letter or in person with any Japanese national in this country whom the Japanese Government may wish to have repatriated in order to verify the wishes of that individual, United States Government expects that similar facilities will be promptly granted to Swiss representatives of United States interests in the Far East. It is particularly noted that Swiss [Page 905] representatives have on record the wish to be repatriated of the majority of individuals named in the Japanese communication.
Mrs. Sarah Ann Davies in Thailand is an American citizen and the fact that she also possesses British nationality does not deprive her of her United States nationality. Under the laws of the United States Government and of the British Government Mrs. Davies has a right to exercise whichever nationality she desires and hence is eligible for inclusion in the American-Japanese exchange if she wishes, repatriation.
The United States Government has so far interposed no objection to the repatriation of any Japanese alien who wishes to be repatriated and has been specifically named for repatriation by the Japanese Government. It is expected that the Japanese Government will be similarly guided, since any such objection would be incompatible with the basic agreement regarding repatriation. Accordingly the United States Government desires urgently to receive the Japanese Government’s assurances that Swiss representatives in Far East will be permitted free access to every American to determine his or her repatriation wishes and that the wishes so expressed will be respected.