Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 141: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
C–59977. For info, CINCUNC Adv HNC–625.
“Report of Sub-Committee meeting on Item Nbr 4, convened 1100. UNC devoted the entire morning to getting Communists on the record with a definite answer to UNC proposal to exchange now the seriously sick and injured in accordance with Articles 109 and 110 Geneva Convention. This was not accomplished. All that could be established was that they would not agree now to our request. In long and evasive responses to UNC questions on this subj Communists raised following points:
- “1. Communist Five Point proposal provides for early exchange of sick and wounded. Aim of the UNC in raising this question now is to delay rather than expedite the exchange of POWs.
- “2. UNC seeks to retain POWs after cessation of hostilities.
- “3. Where are the 44,259 missing persons? UNC admitted yesterday it has detained 37,000.
- “4. UNCs statement that we do not know when the armistice negotations will be concluded is an expression of its policy toward the armistice.
- “5. Does UNC agree to release all POWs held by both sides after signing of armistice agreement?
- “6. UNC says 16,000 persons in its POW camps which it will not release. This is untenable.
- “7. Regarding sick and wounded, UNC said yesterday that some might decline to return. What does that mean? (UNC invited attention to Para 3, Article 109 Geneva Convention).
- “8. UNC is afraid to discuss principles because that would disclose its objectives to the world.
“UNC refuted all the above points.
“A list of UNC held POWs was handed the Communists in which Korean names were written in Korean characters and Chinese in Chinese characters. Recessed 1315 to reconvene at 1500.”