Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 169: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
priority
CX–60374. Re your JCS–90083.1
Part 1. Since receipt of ref msg I have fully explored several possible positions with relation to Item 4 for use in the present armistice [Page 1462] negotiations bearing in mind the adoption of a plan that would be in consonance with your announced policies, retain for US maximum bargaining power and secure the whole-hearted support of the free world.
Part 2. During the negotiations these past several weeks and after careful analysis of Communist reactions we have obtained sufficient information to develop what I consider to be a sound, practical position. Accordingly, I have approved for use in negotiations the following proposal for presentation by the armistice delegation to the Communists when it appears desirable:
All-for-all exchange of prisoners of war and civilians with no forced repatriation.
a. Exchange of prisoners of war to be conducted on a 1-for-1 basis until 1 side has exchanged all the prisoners of war held by it who desire repatriation.
b. The side which thereafter holds prisoners of war after completion of para “a” above, shall repatriate all remaining POWs who express a desire to be repatriated in a 1-for-l exchange for foreign civilians interned by the other side and for civilians who on 25 Jun 50 were bona fide residents of the territory under that side’s control and who are, at the time of the signing of the armistice, in territory under the control of the other side and who elect to be repatriated. Prisoners of war repatriated after the 1-for-l exchange in para “a” above, has been completed will be paroled to the opposing force, such parole to carry with it the condition that the individual will not again bear arms against the side releasing him.
c. All prisoners of war in the custody of either side who did not elect repatriation under paras “a” or “b” above, will be released from POW status.
d. After action indicated in paras “a”, “b” and “c” above is completed, all remaining civilians who, on 25 Jun 50, were bona fide residents of the ROK and DPRK respectively, and who are, at the time of the signing of the armistice, in territory under the control of the other side, shall be repatriated if they so elect.
e. In order to insure that the choice regarding repatriation is made without duress, delegates of the ICRC shall be permitted to interview all prisoners of war at the points of exchange and all civilians of either side who are at the time of the signing of the armistice in territory under the control of the other side.
f. If agreement is secured on the overall civilian internee-refugee question in the proposal stated above, lists of selected UN and ROK civilians will be introduced into the negotiations at the earliest opportunity.