Telegram from Secretary of State Dean Acheson to the Department of State

INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION 26 B X Action Control: 3302 UNA Rec'd: November 9, 1952 FROM: New York 7:24 p.m. Info SS TO: Secretary of State G EUR NO: DELGA 156, November 9, 6:45 p.m. DECLASSIFIED NEA FE PRIORITY FKS45 L Re Korea DEBULT FOR LIMITED DISTRIBUTION IN DEPARTMENT Meeting Secretary with Eden (present Lloyd, Jebb, Jessup, Gross), discussed Korean developments in GA. Lloyd outlined UK understanding that principle of non-forcible repatriation must be kept clear and that nothing should be left for post armistice negotiation with Communists regarding repatriation. Repeated opinion that although Comms had it in power to sabo- tage any armistice agreement if they so desired, nevertheless agreement must be clear and self-contained so that responsi- bility for breach would be clear. Secretary of State stressed this point and Eden agreed. Nor did we want to risk armistice negotiations breaking down on some narrow "non-moral" proced- ural issue, such as how a POW repatriation commission would be composed or how it would operate. We emphasized objections to a POW commission with Communist satellite membership. Lloyd thought the problem would be met by designating an umpire (such designation to be made prior to effective date of armistice). He believed (having talked again with Krishna Menon this morning) that Chi Comms had revealed to Indians their insistence on some Communist repre- sentation on POW commission. Eden said he would probably include in his GA speech Tuesday reference to the two points made by Lloyd, summarized above. He stressed importance attached by both British parties to doing everything possible now to end Korean war, but on basis adherence to non-forcible repatriation principle. Indian initiative could be useful to that end. Just prior to Eden's departure, Indian HC brought message from Nehru expressing latter's desire "to be helpful". Secretary of State said we were urgently considering whole question, and conferring with Defense Dept whose views were essential before decisions are made on matters affecting composition -102 SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION REPRODUCTION FROM THIS COPY, IF CLASSIFIED, IS PROHIBITED 10 16-67338-1 GPO