Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

NCT (NAVAL AIDE) 430 the OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE DECLASSIFIED WASHINGTON E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 November 19, 1952 By DeB NLT, Date, 9-10-85 - TOP SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS KOREA The UK Foreign Office has informed us in strict confidence of views on the Korean armistice negotiations expressed by the Chinese Communist Foreign Min- ister, Chou En-lai, to the Indian Ambassador to Peiping about October 16 and 31. Chou En-lai reportedly stated: 1) The Chinese Communists still want an armistice. 2) Although they continue to hold fast to the concept of total repatriation of prisoners, the Chinese would have no objection to ''declassification' of Korean prisoners of war. 3) The principle of non-forcible repatriation is included in all three US alternate proposals and therefore all are unacceptable. The mechanics governing repatriation are, however, subject to negotiation and the time lag between any agreement in principle to repatriate and actual repatriation of all prisoners may well be considerable. According to the Indian Ambassador, the Chinese Communists were taken back when the UN "broke off" negotiations at Panmunjom and are anxious that they be reopened there. Our Embassy in London comments that while Indian motives in making their proposals on repatriation of prisoners may possibly be open to question, it is assumed that the overriding Indian consideration is achievement of an armis- tice. The Foreign Office official speculated that the Chinese were anxious to get negotiations back to Panmunjom because they wish to conduct their own attendant propaganda campaign and because they do not entirely trust the Soviets. The Foreign Office official stated there was an un- mistakable indication that public opinion in the UK is building up rapidly in favor of compromise. The Foreign Office is receiying more and more letters demanding the conclusion of an armistice at any cost, and asking why the welfare of the Chinese prisoners, who had already switched allegiance first in favor of the Communists and who are now resisting repatriation, should be valued above the welfare and repatriation of British prisoners of war. TOP SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION