Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 83: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
C–59311. For info CINCUNC Adv HNC 555.
“Further to HNC 554.1 Reconvened 1500. UNC replied to Communist statements of morning session as follows:
“Communists are indulging in supposition about UNC intentions towards POW after the armistice. More progress will be made by sticking to facts. Communists asked why UNC insists on exchange of POW data now. The reasons are two.
“UNC needs the information first as basic data for use in discussion of item nbr 4. It is required secondly for humanitarian reasons. The POWs cannot be exchanged until the armistice is signed. In the meantime their rights should be observed and their families given assurances that they are alive and well. Furthermore UNC needs this data to appraise the effect of its agreement to any proposal. UNC cannot buy a pig in a poke. It must negotiate with eyes open. It will not be duped by Communist attempt to blackmail it into blind acceptance of communist proposal. Communists callously ignore fundamental obligation to transmit POW data. For what reason? Do Communists think UNC desire for an early armistice makes it an easy mark? UNC wants an armistice but not at price of everything for nothing. Do Communists think they can wait UNC out and force it to negotiate blindly? If so Communists are misguided. UNC refuses to negotiate blindly. As to the tool referred to by Col Tsai by which humanitarianism of UNC towards POW can be tested, this is simple sophistry. Record of UNC treatment of POW speaks for itself and will continue to do so. It is open for inspection. Agent of the people of the world in this matter is ICRC. Its delegates visit UNC POW [Page 1331] camps to see that POWs are well treated. Communists continue to refuse similar visits. Communist tactics of trying to make UNC negotiate blindly are effective if their objective is to delay negotiations, but ineffective if it is to arrive at a solution to item nbr 4. Gen Lee made a long statement questioning the humanitarianism of the UNC for failing to agree to release all POWs after the armistice. He then reviewed the Communist proposal amplifying it by discussion. UNC replied as follows:
“You say that your paragraph 5 is perfect? It is as a complete roadblock to any progress in these discussions. Your fifth proposal as it now stands effectively closes the door to any consideration whatsoever by our side on your other 4 proposals. You can open that door very easily. There are 2 locks on that door. You hold the key to both locks. The first lock is your refusal to give us the information on the prisoners of war you hold and to give it to us now. The other lock is your persistent refusal to permit representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit your prisoner of war camps. Meeting recessed 1643 to resume at 1100 tomorrow.
“Comment: UNC will pursue same program tomorrow. Sgd Joy.”
- Supra.↩