893.01/10–2149: Airgram
The Ambassador in Thailand (Stanton) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 2—11:47 a. m.]
A–490. On October 20, 1949, in a press conference Prime Minister Phibun discussed the problem of recognition of the Chinese Communist Government. He emphasized the need for great caution and indicated a desire to move slowly. According to the press report, he [Page 141] stated that Thai recognition depends on two factors. They are: (1) Whether or not the Communist Government really represents the Chinese people and is governing in the interests of the majority of the Chinese people; (2) Whether the Communist Government is accorded a favorable reception in the United Nations. While it is not clear to the Embassy why or how membership in the United Nations must precede recognition by individual countries, yet the obvious implication is that Phibun intends to take no action until it is quite clear that the majority of nations and particularly the Great Powers have publicly committed themselves to recognition.
There is quoted below the text of the press report of the conference which appeared in the English-language, Liberty newspaper:
“The Premier stated that Thailand could not afford to make a hasty decision in regard to so important a question as this and that time and consideration should be given since it involved international understanding.
“The Premier said that the recognition of the newly established Communist government depended on,
- “(1) Whether the Chinese Communist Government really represented the people, whether it was administrating the country solely in the interests of the people as a whole and whether it really had the support of the majority of the people.
- “(2) Another main point that would have to receive careful and lengthy consideration was whether the Chinese Communist government would receive recognition from UNO45 or not.
“The Government was desirous of avoiding all political implications and was in a position unlike Soviet Russia and her satellite countries which had promptly accorded recognition to the Chinese Communist Government almost immediately” after its establishment. The Premier stated that Russia’s action was only natural since it had similar political ideologies and Russia wished to give the lead to other countries of the world in the matter and thus pave the way for the Chinese Communist Government to establish diplomatic relations with foreign countries.
“The Premier stressed that Thailand is a small country and must therefore be certain of her step before making any move.
“The Premier further stated that, if possible, he would like to see the Chinese Communist Government a member of UNO, or accorded recognition by UNO, before making any move in the matter. He is of opinion that as Thailand is a member-nation of UNO, it would be unseemly for Thailand to extend recognition to a government that was not recognized by UNO. He also said that as the Chinese Nationalist Government is a fellow-member, it would be most irregular and, in fact, impossible to give recognition to two governments established in the same country.”
- United Nations Organization.↩