Matthews files, lot 53 D 413: Telegram
The Chief of Staff United States Army (Collins) to the Commander in Chief United Nations Command (Clark)
top secret
operational immediate
operational immediate
Washington
, May 7, 1953—9:41
p.m.
DA 938429. From CSUSA for CINCUNC. JCS have directed dispatch of the following: [Page 982]
- 1.
- At a meeting with the President today, 7 May, at which were present the Secretary and Under Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and General Hull representing the JCS, the latest Communist proposal outlined in your ZX 364841 was discussed. It was consensus of opinion that new Communist proposal appears to represent a significant shift in their position and appears to offer a basis for negotiation of an acceptable agreement. It has strong resemblance to the Indian General Assembly Resolution with some advantages and disadvantages over that proposal. It has the advantage of not requiring the transport of prisoners to the demilitarized zone. It has the disadvantage of not providing a definite time limitation for the political conference to reach agreement on the final disposition of prisoners not electing repatriation and in not making provision for such disposition in the event the political conference is unable to reach a decision thereon. It has the further disadvantage of stationing of troops, some of whom would be Communist controlled, in areas in the rear of United Nations forces. In our discussion it appeared that the stationing of troops of “the member nations of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission” on an island such as Koje-Do and Cheju-Do might be acceptable if they were limited to military police type arms. There are other points in the Communist proposal which would need clarification, such as the reaching of a decision in event there were disagreement between the representatives of the member nations on the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission. Also there is the question of what restrictions would apply under that part of the proposal which contemplates that the nations to which the prisoners belong shall have freedom and facilities to send personnel to the places of detention of the prisoners of war.
- 2.
- There is very complex problem here in connection with our agreeing to the fifth member of commission. For this reason it is thought that we could agree on the other four as originally proposed (Indian Resolution) and that they, in turn, should agree on the fifth member of the commission. If this turned out to be India, we would acquiesce.
- 3.
- UNC delegation should meet with Communists as presently scheduled and General Harrison, without indicating either acceptance or rejection of the Communist proposal, should ask for clarification of para 6 of Communist proposal (para 2c (6) of ZX 36484), particularly the question of ultimate disposition of prisoners who refuse repatriation in event agreement thereon is not reached at the political conference. This should be designed to explore whether Communists would accept a solution comparable to that contained in the last paragraph of the Indian Resolution.
- 4.
- Meanwhile send your comments ASAP on the Communist proposal and on our preliminary views indicated in paras 1 and 2, above.2