795.00/5–3152: Telegram
The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Commander in Chief Far East (Ridgway)
top secret
operational immediate
operational immediate
Washington
, May 6, 1952—11:55
a.m.
JCS 908093. From JCS re JCS 907528.1
- 1.
- We fully appreciate difficulty of situation in compounds at KojeDo cited in para 1b ur CX 67750.2 Since screening is not feasible, we [Page 190] approve your plan to list inmates of these compounds for return to Communist control. We assume no new or revised list will be given to Communists until after general agreement in principle has been reached by both sides to Armistice terms.
- 2.
- Re second sentence para 1b, we are concerned that any deletions from rosters after exchange of new lists might subject UNC to Communist propaganda charge of abrogating part of agreement with possible adverse effect on prompt return of UNC POWs in Communist hands. Suggest therefore you consider feasibility of some form of announcement to inmates of unscreened compounds to effect that, on str of previous affirmations of compounds leaders, UNC assumes all inmates of these compounds desire to return to other side, and that they will be so returned folg an Armistice. Whether such announcement could be combined with some type of at least nominal opportunity for those who violently object to repatriation to express their sentiments is questionable, although considered desirable. It might be assumed that those inmates who would violently oppose return would, if given chance, be as willing now to run the risks attendant on an expression of their feelings as at time of POW exchange. Once this opportunity had been given, all inmates would be aware that time for choice has passed. UNC could then consider all inmates of these compounds to be in same status as those others who, after interviews, did not give evidence of violently opposing return to Communists, and who were told that segregation, once effected, was final.
- 3.
- Request your comments.