Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Korea, Volume XV, Part 1

Matthews files, lot 53 D 413: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Clark) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

restricted
operational immediate

Tokyo, March 28, 1953—7:35 p.m.

CX 61670. Refs: A. JCS 931724.¹ B. CX 61281.² C. HNC 1600.³ This msg in 2 parts.

Part 1. Text of ref C which contains reply to comm referred to in ref A and B is transmitted herewith for info.

• “1. The folg ltr⁴ was rec from the Communist Liaison Off at 1405 hours this date.

  ‘Gen Mark W. Clark, CINC, UNC.

  ‘We rec urltr dated February 22, 1953.

  ‘Concerning the ques of repatriating with priority seriously sick and seriously injured POW of both sides, the del for armistice negotiations of both sides had, as a matter of fact, reached agreement, in accordance with humanitarian principles, on Para 53 of the draft Korean Armistice Agreement. It was solely because the Korean armistice negotiations were suspended that there was no way to implement this agreed provision. In consequence, it has not been possible up to the present to repatriate seriously sick and seriously injured POW of both sides.

  ‘Since your side now expresses readiness to apply the provisions of the Geneva Convention to sick and injured POW in the custody of both sides, our side, as an expression of the similar intent, fully agrees to your side’s proposal to exchange sick and injured POW of both sides during the period of hostilities. This proposal should be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Article 109 of the Geneva Convention. At the same time, we consider that the reasonable settlement of the ques of exchanging sick and injured POW of both sides during the period of hostilities should be made to lead to the smooth settlement of the entire ques of POW, thereby achieving an armistice in Korea for which people throughout the world are longing. Therefore our side proposes that the delegates for armistice negotiations of both sides immediately resume the negotiations at Panmunjom. Furthermore, our liaison off is prepared to meet your liaison off to discuss and decide on the date for resuming the negotiations.

  ‘Kim Il Sung, Supreme Com of the Korean Peoples Army, Peng Teh-Huai, Com of the Chinese Peoples Volunteers’.

• “2. Not released to press here pending your further instr. Sgd Carlock”

Part 2. I plan to initiate nec action immediately in order to carry out the exchange of seriously sick and wounded POW. I consider that the Communist phraseology indicates that they are prepared to proceed with such an exchange independent of any resumption of negotiations at this time. My comments regarding resumption of negotiations will fol soonest.

Beyond doubt the Commies will broadcast their letter. As a result, we will have questions. Commie letter in full text is being released here referring it to my letter of Feb 22.

1. Dated Feb. 18, p. 785.
2. Dated Feb. 19, p. 788.
3. Not printed; the substantive part of this telegram from CINCUNC (Adv) Korea was relayed in CX 61670.
4. This letter was printed in the Department of State Bulletin, Apr. 6, 1953, pp. 494–495 along with a text of Clark’s letter of Feb. 22, 1953, and a statement by Dulles.