No.52

November 10th, 1959.

Your Excellency:
On November 6th the American Minister in Geneva, Mr. Villard, called on me and asked for more details about the deportation case, about what ICRC has in mind, and so on. I briefed him on the real nature of this issue.
Through the United Press last week I learned that the State Department issued a statement to the effect that the United States does not consider the so-celled repatriation plan of the Japanese a deportation case. This statement is a very unfortunate one. At a time when ICRC is carefully evaluating the situation and, it seems, to me, the iseue is at the last stage before the final decision. I do not understand why the US Government should issue such a statement endorsing he Japanese plan. I know that from the beginning their point of view was different from ours, but I hope that this statement will not have some adverse effect on this issue now. At all events, it is regrettable that such a statement should have been issued by a Government which has such vital influence.
At the same time, however, I have not given up hope of persuading ICRC to withdraw from Japan, and I have close contact with the ICRC people.
On Saturday I received confidential information from a religious group here that at the ICRC meeting on Thursday there was quite an argument among the Committee members about ICRC 's attitude to recent developments. Mr. Olgiati and Professor Fremond, who are members of the Committee, raised doubts about ICRC 's involvement under these circumstances
But another member, Mr. Kroll, was strongly in favour of endorsing the Japanese plan. Thus Mr. Boissier, the President, and also the Executive members decided that ICRC should wait and see developments and decide its final attitude later on. I also learned from this same source that the Committee membere strongly requested the. Executive that should any decision be taken by the Committee the question should be discussed thoroughly at ICRC.
I also relied with ICRC the problem of group registration, and an insisting that ICRC should withdraw from Japan as soon as possible. Today I learned that ICRC is awaiting the report on developments from Mr. Durand, who is the representative of ICRC in Japan now. Last week 1 asked the Government to supply more information about the Japanese way of handling this repatriation. According to the cable I received, our people are registering in groups and more than 5,000 have now enrolled.
If possible, I would like to have more details as to how these people were placed under pressure by the Communists, aid so on, so that I can present the case in more detail to ICRC.
I shall continue to exert my efforts to persuade ICRC for our cause.
With sentiments of loyalty and esteem,

I remain,

Faithfully yours,

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