Evening star., 1953-03-30
mands that all prisoners be re-
turned,

manoS that all prisoners be re-
turned.
Chou proposed that both sides
return those prisoners who in
Sist on going home and hand
over the others to a neutral state
ito insure just solution to the
question of their repatriation"
He did not propose a neutral
state by name, presumably leav-
ing that question to be decided
at the armistice site of Pan
munjom.
The United Nations walked
away from Panmunjjon last fall
after telling the Reds to accept
the principle of giving prisoners
their choice Of returning home
or come UP with an acceptable
solution.
Chou's offer-similar to plans
advanced in the United Nations
Assembly in q broadcast,
heard here, over the Communist
Peiping radio.
No Formal Communication.
A spokesman for Gen. Mark
Clark. U. N. Far East Com
mander, said 1--WE are not selling
the statement short but so far
it is just a Communist radio
broadcast"
The spokesman said as far as
he knew no formal communica-
ton from Chou had been re-
ceived.
Some Allied officers said pri-
vately and unofficially that the
proposal. if it meant what it
seems, might end the Korean
war. But they had their fingers
crossed and there was a feeling
Of super caution among the
command.
The Reds had made an earlier
overture Saturday. accepting a
February % U. N. proposal for
exchange Of sick and wounded
war prisoners and asking that
the truce talks be resumed. The
U. N. has not yet answered the
Saturday proposal.
Principle Not Relinquished.
Chou said tonight:
Both parties should un-
dertake to repatriate immedi-
ately after the cessation of hos
tilities all those prisoners Of war
.. who insist upon repatriation
and to hand over the remaining
prisoners of war to a neutral
state so as to ensure a just So
luton to the question of their
repatriation"
However, Chou also said:
I'VE by no means relinquish
the principle Of release and re-
patriation of war prisoners with
out delay after the cessation of
hoStilities
Nor do we acknowledge the |
assertion Of the United Nations
Command that there are among !
the prisoners Of war individuals
who allegedly refuse repatria-
tion."
Chou said the Chinese and
North Korean Reds are taking
this step to solve the war only
because this one item blocks an
armiStice.
The Chinese premier, No. 2
man in the Asian Communist
hierarchy, is the one usually Sc
lected to make important an
nouncements.
He had just returned to
Peiping from a trip to Moscow
where he attended the funeral
Of Stain and signed new, inn
portant economic agreements
with Russia.
Called Time for Settlement.
Chou said the time is ripe for
settling the POW question and
ending the fighting in Korea.
Meanwhile, the U. N. is study |
ing cautiously the Red accept |
ance on Saturday Of its proposal |
to exchange sick and wounded |
POWs. There was no indication |
of when it will answer.
Reports that a laison officers
meeting is scheduled tomorrow
in Panmunjom, Korea, possibly |
to discuss the prisoner proposal, /
could not be officially confirmed. |
At New Delhi, home Of the
Indian government that has Of
ten tried the role Of East West
peacemaker, officials said pri-
vately:
I'VE must wait and see. The
world has been disappointed too
often already"
In Washington, the State De-
partment made it clear 1t believes
the prisoners can be EXCHANGED
without formally reopening the
truce talks, q spokesman said it
Is too early to comment on going
back to the armistice tent att
Panmunjom.