845C.00/9–2846: Telegram
The Consul General at Rangoon ( Packer ) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 28—12:12 p.m.]
317. May 316, 27th.11 In broadcast evening 26th when he announced new Executive Council Governor noted three main causes of dissatisfaction with present state of affairs in Burma: (1) Doubts about powers of Executive Council, (2) Burmans not “associated with” defense and external affairs, (3) criticism of HMG’s financial control. Also Executive Council not in touch with frontier areas policy.
Governor proposed following solutions: (1) “It is my firm intention to see” that Executive Council has same authority Ministers had under 1935 act, (2) Burman Counsellor for Defense and External Affairs who will also be member of Executive Council without portfolio and Deputy Chairman. This is position given Aung San, (3) HMG agreed to some relaxation Treasury control, also Executive [Page 5] Council to be kept fully informed frontier areas policy. First tasks Council to consider strike situation, high cost of living and recent actions of GOB under defence of Burma rules.
- Not printed.↩