740.00119 Control (Japan)/12–2149: Telegram
The Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Sebald) to the Secretary of State
priority
579. Immediately upon opening of regular Allied Council meeting this morning, Soviet member Lt. Gen. Derevyanko raised question of procedure charging that rejection his subject “on violation of the principles and unfulfillment of the problems of the democratization of Japan” proposed in his letter dated November 14, 1949,1 had been arbitrary and unjustified and that subsequent letter dated December 5 stating his intention to discuss “anti-democratic measures of Japanese Government” at forthcoming meeting of Council had been similarly rejected without reason. He also strongly protested against discussion of repatriation problem which I had placed on agenda for today APO’s meeting at Supreme Commander APO’s direction stating that proposed discussion of this subject not only was inappropriate but obviously constituted a part of campaign of hostility and propaganda conducted against Soviet Union by SCAP Headquarters. I pointed out that subject for discussion proposed in Soviet letter of November 14 had been rejected because, as phrased, it involved review of action taken by SCAP under directives issued to him in conformity with FEC policy decision and that such review was proper subject for FEC and not AC J; also that letter of December 5 only stated an intention to place subject on agenda but contained no specific wording of subject. After further brief exchange during which Soviet member refused follow ruling of chairman and conducted himself in unruly manner, Soviet member stated he could not take part in meeting permitting discussion of Japanese repatriation and thereupon left meeting accompanied by staff.
[Page 920]I then proceeded with statement as outlined in mytel 569, December 162 (which Department has by separate means).3
British Commonwealth member Ambassador Hodgson after a few remarks and questions on procedural issue strongly supported position taken in my general statement confirming propriety of discussion of repatriation issue by Allied Council, reviewing general problem of repatriation, stressing Soviet failure to challenge GHQ statistics on repatriation and strongly affirming necessity of securing information from Soviet Union regarding present status of repatriation. Pointing out ACJ APO’s responsibilities for advising SCAP on repatriation problem and making constructive recommendations, he proposed that the Council recommend to SCAP that Soviet Government be reminded of obligations under 1929 Prisoners of War Convention and Geneva Convention signed by various nations, including Soviet Union on December 8, 1949, as well as other agreements, Potsdam Declaration, and UN Declaration of Human Rights, and invited conclude new repatriation agreement incorporating principles in these conventions and declarations, asking Swiss Government as protecting power or international organization such as Red Cross to make impartial investigations of conditions of Japanese remaining in USSR.
Chinese member General Chu Chih-ming spoke briefly expressing general interest of his government in repatriation program and pointing out that Chinese part of repatriation program had long since been completed.