300. Letter from Robertson to Erskine1
I refer to our previous correspondence regarding unaccounted-for United States Military personnel and our exchanges of views regarding the accounting to be demanded at Geneva by Ambassador Johnson from the Chinese Communist representative.
It appears that the Chinese Communist representative may respond to Ambassador Johnson’s request for an accounting by making a counterdemand for an accounting for Chinese military personnel, including those who, in accordance with the Armistice Agreement, chose not to be repatriated.
I believe that our chances for favorable action on the release of the imprisoned civilians, as well as on our demand for this accounting, will be improved if we are able to render as full an accounting as possible for any list the Chinese Communist representative may submit. I understand an extensive accounting for Chinese personnel on lists previously submitted by the Communist side through the Military Armistice Commission in Korea has already been prepared, but not handed over to the Communists because of their refusal to account for our side’s unaccounted-for personnel.
I would appreciate receiving from you any general suggestions and comments you may have as to how Ambassador Johnson might be instructed to respond to a Chinese Communist demand for an accounting for their personnel from the Korean War. I would [Facsimile Page 2] also like to know your estimate, based on past Communist demands through the MAC, of the probable size and breakdown of the list which the Chinese Communist representative may submit, together with our position and capabilities with respect to furnishing the desired recounting.
Sincerely yours,
Assistant Secretary
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/10–1955. Secret. Drafted by Osborn on October 17.↩