Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Korea, Volume XV, Part 1

795.00/4–352: Telegram

The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Commander in Chief Far East (Ridgway)

top secret
operational immediate

Washington, April 16, 1952—5:59 p.m.

JCS 906539. From JCS reur CX 66953 and CX 67005.¹

1. We note with approval that you are giving consideration to rescreening by UNC. We consider that this should be done, if practicable from your viewpoint and time permits, prior to submitting any revised figure to Communists. Such re-screening, if undertaken, should be done under the most stringent criteria designed to verify number of POWs who would actually forcibly oppose repatriation. However, if you consider it impracticable to re-screen POWs prior to submitting revised figure to Communists you are authorized to proceed without such rescreening.

2. Proposal for neutral re-screening non-repatriates folg armistice probably acceptable to Communists as proposal for neutral re-screening prior to armistice. View here is that in event Communist acceptance screening folg armistice offers us many advantages. Proposal for screening proposed in para 2e, CX 66953 prior to armistice would appear give Communists opportunities for further delaying entry into effect of armistice.

3. Therefore, suggest you give consideration amending para 2e, CX 66953 so as to make clear that at least initial UNC del proposal will be that any neutral re-screening non-repatriates take place folg entry into effect of armistice by either method mentioned therein. If you concur with foregoing suggestion you are authorized implement plan of procedure set forth para 2, CX 66953 with subpara e thereof appropriately amended. However, if there are clear advantages not apparent here to re-screening proposed in para 2e taking place prior to armistice, you are authorized to implement plan of procedure set forth para 2 ur CX 66953. Planned procedure outlined ur CX 67005 also approved for implementation at time you consider appropriate.²

1. Dated Apr. 15 and 16, pp. 153 and 154, respectively.

2. The final sentence was added at the suggestion of the Department of State subsequent to the State-JCS meeting on Apr. 16.

   Secretary of Defense Lovett then approved the final text of the telegram and expressed agreement with Matthews’ view that the telegram need not be held for the President’s return to Washington since it did not make any substantive changes in previously approved instructions. (Memorandum from Cams to Collins, Apr. 16; JCS records, CCS 000.5 (5–12–49))