Telegram from H. Freeman Matthews to George Kennan

OUTGOING TELEGRAM Department of State 8/29/52, 11 : a.m. CORRECTED PAGE 1 INDICATE: COLLECT SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION 10321 CHARGE TO August 27, 1952 6:29 p.m. SENT TO: Amembassy MOSCOW 206 RE FOR KENNAN FROM .TTHEWS 23-21-X Origin G Info: SS Some consideration is being given in DEPT to suggesting that EUR PRES issue statement along lines quoted below. Its purpose is to FE UNA give COMMIES a face saving device to permit them to accept Korean P armistice on our terms without accepting our principle of non- forcible repatriation of POWS and, if they reject proposal, to provide good propaganda position for us. There is no (rpt no) thought here that as result of the QUOTE subsequent negots UNQUOTE we WLD in fact agree to any forcible return of remaining COMMIE POWS WLD appreciate UR early comments both as to desirability is- suance of some such statement and timing thereof, i.e., if you favor idea, SHD statement be made while Chou-en-lai and company Dist. are still in Moscow or SHD we wait outcome Soviet-Chinese COMMIE Desired (Offices Only) talks. Proposed statement follows: QUOTE I am told that the official Soviet newspapers, PRAVDA and IZVESTYA, have printed the text of an appeal by the Progressive Party candidate for PRES in this country, addressed to GEN Eisenhower and Mr. Stevenson. This appeal urges that these gentlemen join in requesting me INNER QTE to propose to our reps conducting negots Drafted by: Telegraphic transmission and G:HFMatthews:akh 8/27/52 H. Freeman Matthews classification approved by: Clearance DECLASSIFIED STOTE LTR. 4-25-79 -4u PROJECT NLT 78-12 SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION REPRODUCTION FROM THIS Byeses.7 the NARS, Date 7.23.79 COPY, IF CLASSIFIED, IS PROHIBITED. 44