BRITISH HOPE OF TRUCE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27038, 13 May 1953, Page 9

BRITISH HOPE OF TRUCE

Comment By Prime Minister LONDON, .May 11. “Our immediate aim is the conclusion of a truce in Korea,” the Prime Minister (Sir Winston Churchill) said in the House of Commons today. “I very much doubt whether there could be any agreement at the present time on a united Korea, with the terrible injuries done to each other by the North and South Koreans. But even if both sides only stood still where they are now, ceased fire, and tried to replace the foreign troops in the country by Korean forces, time might once again prove to be the healer, especially in the ravaged countries, when given a revival of prosperity and help in repairing the really fearful damage. Therefore I should be very content with even a truce and cease-fire for the moment.” The first step was the settlement of the prisoner-of-war dispute at Panmunjon. There was only one vital point—that a prisoner of war should not be forcibly repatriated against his will.

He said that as the United States had borne nineteen-twentieths of the burden in Korea the matter was not one for Britain to decide, but it was Britain’s duty to express an opinion, frankly and plainly. The latest proposal at Panmuhjon needed patient and sympathetic consideration. “There is no reason known to me at present to assume that it may! not form the basis of an agreement, provided always that it is put forward by the Communists in a spirit of sincerity." Mr John Strachey, the former Labour Minister of War, said that Britain ought to say frankly that if the Korean truce negotiations broke down world opinion would not blame the Korean and Chinese negotiators, but the Americans.