795.00/4–352: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
top secret
operational immediate
operational immediate
Tokyo, April 17, 1952—11:26
p.m.
CX 67067. Re JCS 906539.1
- 1.
- I have directed the UNC delegation
to implement without delay the procedure outlined in para 2, CX
66953,2 modified as follows:
- a.
- The use or omission of para 2d is left to the discretion of the armistice delegation.
- b.
- Final decision on the introduction of para 2e will be made prior to moving to plenary session, depending on the development of negotiations. I concur with your para 2 of JCS 906539 that this proposal would be more effective if it were limited to re-screening of nonrepatriates after the armistice is in effect, and instructions to this effect have been issued to the delegation.
- 2.
- The decision to introduce the figure of 70,000 as a round number without screening being completed was made only after careful consideration of the many factors involved. The time required to complete screening, (which involves the relocating of many camps and the forced screening of those individuals who have so far obstructed screening), the increased impatience of the Communists and of the US and UN public, do not permit the delay which we estimate will be three to four weeks especially since I do not expect the final figure to differ materially from our estimate of 70,000. Rescreening of those North Korean and Chinese prisoners of war who have already been segregated as non-repatriates, and screening of those who initially refused to cooperate will continue insofar as practicable. Every conceivable effort is being made to return the maximum number of North Korean and Chinese prisoners of war to the Communists without resort to forced repatriation.