695A.0024/7–552: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Department of State
36. Eyes only Armstrong–R. Re Deptel 992, June 23.1 Tel from Manhard:
Presume purpose “voluntary repatriation”, fundamentally Free World attempt provide asylum to political refugees from Commie control. This presupposes objective criteria to determine bona fide anti-Commies. Final, decision shld be ours, not refugees.
In Korea polling actually appeared as choice between two political allegiances for POW’s from divided countries. Polling procedure super-imposed on background of extreme coercion and intimidation over long period of both pro and anti-Commie leaders Korean compounds, anti-Commie leaders Chi compounds. Physical safety all POW’s immed before and during polling process not guaranteed due lack internal control of compounds by UN guards. Honest naivete polling questions resulted in involuntary repatriates and many involuntary non-repatriates, choice being made in atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Simple, direct polling under these conditions invited Commie infiltration anti-repatriation groups and enabled ambitious POW leaders both factions attempt deliver vote in best wardheeling manner to gain favor political superiors.
In view continuing influence previous pro and anti-Commie POW leaders plus resumption CI and E reorientation activities in present anti-repatriation camps, further polling by same method under similar conditions will probably produce little if any numerical shift.
If repolling Chi POW’s contemplated, recommend separate detention all previous POW’s leaders now in power anti-repatriation compounds, official proclamation Commie amnesty for POW’s regardless of tattooing competitions, etc., if such announcement available. Alert all alleged anti-repatriate Chi POW’s minus former leaders, trustees, and those screened out voluntarily by intelligence agencies, for return mainland. Provide sanctuary for all who subsequently attempt escape. Then announce new plan Chi POW’s, immed reclassify remainder as political defectors from communism, no longer POW’s. We thus formulate principle that we recognize right bona fide POW’s to be repatriated to give controlling forces from which captured and right bona fide political refugees to receive asylum from Commie control, whether found in combat zone or elsewhere.