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

INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State 6 SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION Action Control: 6280 UNA Rec'd: FROM: New York November 17, 1952 Info 11:31 p.m. SS TO: Secretary of State G EUR NO: DELGA 209, November 17, 10:30 p.m. DECLASSIFIED NEA ARA PRIORITY Authority FE RUS 1952-54 L (92645-649) P Re Korea. By DEB NLI Date 3-20-85 Meeting twenty-one sponsors held this morning to discuss developments and particularly Indian draft res. Secy recalled that he and others had welcomed any suggestions consistent with fundamental principle non-forcible repatriation of PWs. Referring to various developments and suggestions, Secy stressed three essential points any proposal must meet: (1) Clear and categorical affirmation principle non-forcible repatriation: (2) Any commission or other machinery must be workable and de- signed to determine expeditiously attitudes of PWs; (3) PW problem must be disposed of in brief period following armistice with PWs having real choice of either going home or otherwise being released. Stressing last point in particular, Secy pointed out that in truce sense there would not be forcible repatriation if only choice given to PWs were to go home or remain in indefinite captivity. If this were only choice given to PWs he noted, it would require use of force to transfer PWs to commission, which we could not agree to do. Secy also explained that disposition non-repatriates is not serious problem. Koreans, who con- stituted larger portion of PWs, could be assimilated in Korea; Chinese would be free to go anywhere, with UN offering them care as refugees until they were in fact resettled. Secy cited as example Palestine refugees in which UN was caring for much larger group. If large numbers these Chinese wanted to go to Formosa he saw no reason why they should not. Armistice agreement provides that they would not again participate in Korean. conflict. If there is risk they might be enrolled in Chinese Nationalist Armies, there is far greater risk that Commies will enroll in their armies the many more thousands PWs returning to them. Referring REPRODUCTION FROM THIS -137 COPY, IF CLASSIFIED, IS SECRET SECURITY INF ORMATION PROHIBITED 139 16-67338-1 GPO