845C.9111 RR/4–1947: Telegram
The Consul General at Rangoon (Packer) to the Secretary of State
304. New Times, 19th, reports Aung San in addressing record crowd on Burmese New Year Day said first step in AFPFL program is arrangement for withdrawal foreign troops. Also said question dominion status or independence immaterial but alliance foreign powers will be essential when full self-government achieved.56 “At present there is only Britain and America to whom Burmese can turn as they are only two great foreign powers.” Favored formation of southeast Asia Union with Indonesia, Siam, Indochina, Malaya for “establishment economic solidarity.” Said “Those persons creating disturbances in country are not resisters imperialism but Communists”.
New Times also reports Aung San said, 17th, at luncheon honoring Siamese delegation Inter-Asian Conference, “Our mutual interest and our past experience require we stand together. With this end in view we propose appoint diplomatic representative in Siam early date.”
- At the AFPFL convention on May 20 a 12-point resolution regarding Burma’s constitutional organization was adopted, and amended soon afterward. This was reported in telegrams 412, May 22, and 425, May 24, from Rangoon. It provided that “Independent Sovereign Republic of Burma shall be a union comprising” the various areas of Burma. This resolution would be introduced at the outset of the session of the Constituent Assembly, and a committee would be formed to negotiate with the British Government for transfer of power to Burma. (845C.00/5–2247 and /5–2447)↩