EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27107, 1 August 1953, Page 7

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS

ALL ALLIED TROOPS TO RETURN SEOUL, July 30. Preparations for the prisoner of war exchange continued today. It will begin at Panmunjon next Wednesday. The Pyongyang Radio stated that all Korean and Allied prisoners held by the Communists had expressed a desire to return to their homelands. For some time there has been anxiety lest the Communists would say that they held a number of prisoners who had resisted repatriation in the same way that some North Koreans and Chinese refused to return. The Communist prison camp authorities were today preparing a farewell dinner tomorrow for home-ward-bound United Nations prisoners of war. The New China news agency, reported that Pyoktong, “a quiet little town south of the Yalu river,” was “buzzing with activity.” The camp authorities there were preparing a grand send-off dinner, the agency stated. British and American cooks had already slaughtered pork, the Turks would have calf and goats’ meat butchered tomorrow, and the British, American, Filipinos, French, and others would have beef. British Commonwealth prisoners will stop briefly at the United Nations “freedom village” where they will be given a quick medical inspection by Commonwealth doctors, a change of clothing, and light refreshments. Then they will be moved to “Britannia Camp,” a few miles north of Uijongbu. At Britannia Camp the .prisoners will receive further medical inspection and a complete change of clothing, including their regimental insignia. They will be able to have hot baths, good food, and comfortable beds. They will be issued with money and cigarettes and will be able to send telegrams and write letters. After one night at Britannia Camp they will start on their way back to Japan by Australian planes from Seoul to Iwakuni. . A daily total of up to 200 prisoners is expected, but plans are being made to accommodate 500 at Britannia Camp.