Matthews files, lot 53 D 413: Telegram
The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Commander in Chief, Far East (Clark)
priority
JCS 938989. From JCS for CINCUNC reur CX 62413.1
- 1.
- Although probable Commies will desire polit conf in event
armistice achieved, we concur possibility Commies might
intentionally delay convening conf in attempt to block ultimate
disposition any remaining non-repatriates. In light of this
possibility we approve recm in para 2, ur CX 62413, but desire that
text cited in subpara 2 a read as fols:
“90 days after the trf of cust of POWs to custodial comsn is completed access of reptvs [representatives] to captured pers as prov for in para 9 above shall terminate, and ques of disposition of POWs who have not availed themselves of their right to be repatriated shall be submitted for settlement to polit conf recm to be convened in para 60, Draft Armis Agreement. Any POWs who have not availed themselves of right to be repatriated and for whom no other disposition has been agreed to within 120 days after comsn has assumed their cust shall be released to civ status, the comsn ceasing its functions and being dissolved.”
- 2.
- Consider that wording cited above provides just [justifiable] basis for release of remaining non-repatriates at end 120 day period whether or not polit conf meets and resolved ques their disposition, at same [time] avoids implication that conf may not convene. Since latter implication is eliminated, believe it unnec in absence of other compelling reasons to reiterate United States obligation to agree to convening polit conf since such obligation can be implied from UNC accession to para 60 of Draft Armis Agreement.