Your telegram D.227 6th February. [1] While Australian Government
recognises the practical importance of agreement with the Soviet
Government regulating the general treatment of ex-prisoners of war
pending their repatriation our view is that any performance of
labour duties by Australian ex-prisoners whether on a voluntary
and therefore partial basis or on a compulsory basis, would be
quite unacceptable to public opinion here.

We assume that any arrangements you make will expressly cover the
speediest possible repatriation of Australians who will be
liberated.