October 29th, 1959.

Your Excellency:
Yesterday morning after receiving the cable from the Government I talked with Mr. Manoir of ICRC and drew his attention to the seriousness of recent developments in the deportation case in Japan. He said that ICRC had not received news from Dr. Lehner in Tokyo, but that if such a report is mad ICRC will undoubtedly study it carefully and make a decision. I coded a message to the Goverument yesterday in this regard.
Yesterday evening, the 28th, I met Dr. Junod at ICRC. Mr. Manoir, who is in charge of Far Eastern affiairs, was also present at the meeting. We had about an hour's talk. I said that the Japanese had virtually revised the Guide Book by compromising with the Communists. This idea was initiated by the Communists and the Japanese are now asking ICRC for its approval. Our people are counting heavily on ICRC 's decision and ICRC should immediately refuse the Japanese request. Dr. Junod said that late in the afternoon they had received a cable from Dr. Lehner about the Japanese request, and the Committee would come to a decision after studying it. He himself is not in a position at the moment to give any answer. However, as his personal view, he said that this so-called conduct of questioning on a family basis for the repatriates is not necessarily incompatible with the principle of the Red Cross because the Red Cross upholds the principle of the union of the family. I said that I am well aware of the principle of the union of the family, but that reunion of the family would be achieved if each member expressed his will to join the family. Questioning should therefore be on an individual basis. Furthermore, my experience in Japan showed that in many cases one member of the family is a Communist but the others are not. Therefore the questioning should be conducted on an individual basis. Secondly, allowing visitors at Niigata port would invite the Communists' threat and undesirable occurrences would be anticipated. ICRC should therefore stick to the original plan. Furthermore, how could ICRC change its attitude at this moment just because of the Japanese request?
Dr. Junod said that in his understanding the Leftist students might like to leave Japan, but he understood that the majority of the people wished to stay in Japan. So by all means full explanation should be given that they might stay in Japan if they want to. As for the Communist propaganda, he said that our loyal groups had also staged numerous demonstrations. I said that the demonstrations of our people were the righteous and natural cry of the people in order to save their compatriots. I urged him not to allow the Japanese request. He promised me finally that he would "do his best", but said that the Committee would decide. After the meeting Dr. Junod told me quietly that I should see Mr. Boissier again on Friday morning. I therefore made an appointment this morning, and shall be seeing President Boissier tomorrow morning, at 11.30.
The outline of this conversation has already been cabled to the Government in my coded message.
With sentiments of loyalty and esteem,

I remain,

Faithfully yours,

His Excellency President Syngman Rhea, Office of the President,
SEOUL,
Corée.