No.50

November 12th, 1959

Your Excellency:
On Wednesday, November 11th, I had a talk its Mr. Manoir, as he is the key man in ICRC.
1) I said that the recent registration was conducted under
pressure from the Japanese and the Communists, and that our people in Japan are today suffering unbearable pressure from the Japanese side: they are forced to register.
2) ICRC upheld the principle of the individual and voluntary expression of free will, but at the registration office the registration was done in groups. This was far from the principle on which ICRC had insisted.
3) It is therefore time for ICRC to withdraw from Japan.
What he said is as follows: ICRC recently received a report from their own representative about this registration, but nothing was mentioned about the threat of pressure. At the registration office the application paper was given to each individual, and each individual filled in the form. Therefore, in his opinion, it did not seem that registration was conducted on a group basis. I told him that I have concrete evidence, which will be in my hand soon, that when the registration was conducted the Communists forced our people to register and the Japanese encouraged such threats. I would like to produce this evidence to ICRC : when it sees this evidence, it will be shocked and will withdraw from Japan. He said that ICRC would very much appreciate seeing this evidence. Apparently, ICRC representatives in Japan sent a report on registration as if the registration was done smoothly. Lastly, Mr. Manoir said that ICRC could assure me that the confirmation of will at the embarcation port will be done strictly. He told me that they are still examining the whole issue.
I believe there is still a good chance for us, and I shall continue to do my best to persuade them. Ten days ago, I reported that the situation was favourable because ICRC still wanted to hear our arguments, and Mr. Boissier 's attitude was rather favourable. Of course, the State Department 's statement was not favourable to us, but basically the situation has not changed. I hope that the statement will not have adverse effects on our cause. I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic about the outcome. The only thing I can do here in the circumstances is to do my best to persuade them, and I still have hope.
In themeantime, I am awaiting the information from the Foreign Ministry.
With sentiments of loyalty and esteem,

I remain,

Faithfully yours,

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