Policy and Procedure for Handling Defectors

TOP SECRET 6. Further, the Committee felt that, should we be forced through a strict interpretation of the paragraph which has been quoted to hand back deserters because of criminal charges made against them, there would undoubtedly be an intensive propaganda campaign in Red Army Units to show that it was the British custom so to do. This would have a disastrous effect on our present plan of trying to convince the Russian soldiers that it is HMG's policy to afford political asylum. 7. In view of the above points, the Joint Intelligence Committee (GERMANY) recommends for the consideration of the Joint Intelligence Committee LONDON, that paragraph 3(vi) (a) of the Annex to JIC(49) 47 should not be applicable in Germany.