795.00/3–2452: Telegram
The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Commander in Chief Far East (Ridgway)1
top secret
operational immediate
operational immediate
Washington, March 22, 1952—1:15
p.m.
JCS 904385. From JCS. Re para 8 your C 65650.2
- 1.
- As indicated in JCS 9041013 we have no objection to your making further efforts to obtain agreement with Communist on an acceptable basis for POW exchange. Communist statements in staff ofcr mtgs of past 2 days coupled with impressions contained in your CX 655924 would seem to indicate definite possibilities in this regard. We feel that Communist position should be explored as carefully and thoroughly [Page 117] as possible. We suggest that this might best be accomplished, at least initially, through a more informal and flexible approach than that embodied in para 6 CX 65424.5 In this connection we consider private mtgs would offer definite advantages and should be used if practicable. In any event we suggest that timing of issuance of formal specific proposal contained in CX 65424, which Communists might consider must be either accepted or rejected, might well be held in abeyance pending further informal exploratory negots. Such exploratory negots might indicate desirability of modifying proposed formal proposal or might even remove need for such proposal. Therefore, final sentence of para 4A JCS 904101 should not be interpreted as approval for presentation of proposal along lines set forth in para 6 CX 65424 until from further exploration of Communist position it is clear to you that presentation of such proposal would offer definite possibilities for settlement of agenda item 4 without dangers set forth in para 2 JCS 904101.
- 2.
- Pending outcome of above approach, final decision on your other recommendations outstanding as well as approach outlined in JCS 9036876 is withheld.