Office of the Historian

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 124: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Advance Headquarters, United Nations Command, Korea

secret
emergency
Tokyo, 21 December 1951—1:25 p. m.

CX–59790. 1. The following msg to Kim Il Sung and Peng Teh-Huai will be broadcast and released to the press here at 211400I Dec 51:

“Since the early stages of the Korean conflict, you and your governmental authorities have received several requests from the International Committee of the Red Cross requesting entry permit for their delegates to North Korea for the sole purpose of visiting prisoner of war camps to provide physical and moral assistance to United Nations Command and Republic of Korea prisoners now in your custody. In addition, the UNC Armistice Delegation has made repeated proposals to your delegation for the same permission, pointing out that the United Nations Command has, from the very inception of the present hostilities, extended the privilege to the International Committee of the Red Cross in the prisoner of war camps which it maintains. Thus far, all such requests and proposals have been rejected.

“On behalf of the thousands of soldiers concerned, and speaking for each of the families of those persons you hold captive, I add my personal request that you reconsider this action. In no way can I see any justifiable reason for your refusing to grant permission to the International Committee of the Red Cross to perform the basic, humanitarian work for which they have been accepted without question by nations in previous wars.

“With no other considerations in mind than the welfare of these [Page 1405] men and the distress of their families, I earnestly request that you secure immediate authorization for entrance of the duly accredited representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross who are now standing by, ready to provide you with their assistance. M. B. Ridgway, General, United States Army, Commander in Chief, United Nations Command.”

2. Desire that you deliver written confirmation to Communist Liaison Officer today at earliest possible hour.