740.00114 European War 1939/1982: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:55 p.m.]
2065. Continuation of 2064.
4. While the basis adduced for the rejection of these suggestions probably would be the unacceptability [of] article 9, I have not been convinced that the provisions of this article (which presumably are designed to segregate prisoners for their own benefit and protection rather than to implement the alleged local prejudices of the drafters and signatories) are real cause of the reluctance of the Soviet Government to adhere to the Geneva Convention or probably to accept our alternative suggestions. It is more likely on the contrary that the attitude of the Soviet Government arises from its fear that adherence to the Convention or acceptance of the suggestions would entail the inspection of prison camps in the Soviet Union mentioned in the Department’s instruction under acknowledgment. I believe such inspection [Page 1020] would be unwelcome although it is of course possible that concern regarding the treatment being accorded to Soviet prisoners of war in Germany (see Embassy’s 1983, November 27, noon) might induce the Soviet Government to accept it in order to insure similar benefits in Germany.