Telegram Regarding Readiness to Agree to Discuss the Exchange of Seriously Wounded and Sick Prisoners of War (March 23, 1953) To Comrade Ding Guoyu [1] and also to Kim and Peng [2]:  (1) Received your telegram of 12:00 on March 21. The other side’s recent actions at Panmunjom are clearly provocative and threatening in nature. We should therefore remain highly vigilant, anticipate the worst-case scenario, and make the necessary preparations. On the other hand, the purpose of these moves is evidently to force us to enter into talks on an armistice, which in essence indicates that they are growing impatient. Since Eisenhower [3] came to power, he has taken a series of measures across the five continents in an attempt to free himself from the constraints imposed by Truman [4] and to regain the initiative. His proposal to exchange wounded and sick prisoners may well be a probing move designed to effect a tactical shift at Panmunjom. When analyzing the other side’s specific actions, we must bear both of these aspects in mind. With regard to the possibility that they might refuse to accept our documents or even to convene a liaison officers’ meeting, you should deal with each matter on its own merits, vigorously refute their arguments inside and outside the meetings, and strongly condemn their behavior; however, do not press them to make a formal statement as to whether they intend to bring the negotiations to a complete breakdown, for they will not do so. In the past, our policy of lodging a protest over every single incident, regardless of its severity, had already left us somewhat on the defensive. Over the past week, unless there have been any major incidents, please refrain from sending further protests to the other side.  (2) With respect to General Clark’s [ ] suggestion, made on February 22, to proceed first with the exchange of able-bodied seriously wounded and sick prisoners, our side is prepared to agree to discuss this issue. However, it will still take several days to draft a reply, so for the time being, please do not disclose this information to external parties.

Mao Zedong March 23 Printed according to the revised text.

Notes  [1] Ding Guoyu was at that time involved in the leadership of the DPRK–China delegation to the Korean Armistice Talks.  [2] “Kim” refers to Kim Il-sung, Premier of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. “Peng” refers to Peng Dehuai, Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.  [3] Eisenhower was then President of the United States.  [4] Truman was a former U.S. President.  [ ] Clark was at that time the Commander-in-Chief of the “United Nations Command” invading Korea.