Office of the Historian

845C.00/12–2346: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Rangoon (Packer)

Washington, December 24, 1946.

320. Reur 520 Dec 23.38 In response press request for comment Dept informally and orally released following Dec 21:

“We welcome Mr. Attlee’s invitation Burmese political leaders come London discuss political future Burma. US has many good friends in Burma, including those who gave invaluable assistance our troops North Burma in campaign against Japanese.

In Oct 1946 Brit gave to representative Burmese leaders important and responsible posts Burma Govt and it is our confident hope London talks will result in future progress toward agreed goal of full self-govt for that important Asiatic country.”39

Byrnes
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. On January 2, 1947, the Burma Office in London announced acceptance by the Governor of Burma’s Executive Council of the British invitation to send a delegation for discussions in England and stated that the group would be led by the Deputy Chairman of the Council, U Aung San, with talks beginning the week of January 13.↩