795.00/9–2350: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received September 23—10:53 p. m.]
202. Re Deptel 141, September 20.1 Following are my comments on tentative program: General program described reference telegram considered excellent as regards both spirit and practicality. Generally speaking I feel CG UN forces in conjunction with Republic of Korea should be given widest possible latitude re definition of surrender and occupation terms in event of North Korean collapse or request for terms (latter seems unlikely at this juncture).
Specifically: Re paragraph B (6) suggest UN forces take over maintenance of peace and order in North Korea as speedily as possible. It is felt here principal North Korean civil authorities are not likely to surrender and even if they do, they seem hardly appropriate persons to deal with civil population for more than minimum emergency period.
Re paragraph B (7) this seems ambiguous and unclear. Suggest this be rephrased to read “the Government of the Republic of Korea should declare general amnesty for all North Korea except war criminals” it is felt here Republic of Korea as sovereign power should declare general amnesty and specific reference to political prisoners might be avoided.2
Repeated information OAFE unnumbered, USPolAd Tokyo unnumbered.