893.01/6–149: Telegram
The Ambassador in Burma (Huddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 1—2:36 p. m.]
211. Foreign Minister spoke to me on subject Embtel 209, June 1,73 and asked me to communicate request his Government to Department. I said I would gladly do so but told him I was not officially informed as to details of Department’s proposals.
It would be wise I think to include Burma in any conversations on subject China, if this can consistently be done. Reuter’s report lists SEA74 Commonwealth States as having been consulted by Department. Burma is not in Commonwealth but probably feels a little hurt because not approached. Burma is vitally interested in China developments and having in mind significant if opportunistic change in policies now contemplated by GOB75 (see mytels 210, June 1; 205, June 176) it may be possible to associate Burma with anti-Communist nucleus by sympathetic attention and consideration at present stage. Minister Maung’s request seems to indicate such an opportunity. Observe implication by Foreign Office use phrase that Burma may now wish to be considered “like minded” nation in our circle.
Pouched Bangkok, Colombo, Karachi, New Delhi.
- Not printed; it reported a note from the Burmese Foreign Office referring to a report that the United States had proposed that “like-minded” nations should join in common policy toward Communists in China and requesting that Burma also be consulted on this issue.↩
- Southeast Asia.↩
- Government of Burma.↩
- Neither printed.↩