Office of the Historian

790.5/7–2654: Telegram

The Chargé in Burma (Acly) to the Department of State

secret
Rangoon, July 26, 1954—4 p.m.

66. In general conversation this morning Tun Shein, Permanent Secretary Foreign Office, told me that although GUB has no illusions about Communist China circumstances would not permit Burma participate in SEA joint defense arrangements. He emphasized however that GUB would not be hostile to such arrangements by others pointing out no unfavorable comment yet made by any GUB official.

[Page 676]

Comment: This reiterates information given Ambassador … (Embtel 31)1 and contrary to statement attributed to departing Indian Ambassador Chettur in Calcutta Statesman July 24 that Burma would do best prevent SEATO.

Acly

  1. In this telegram, dated July 13, Ambassador Sebald had summarized a conversation with a Burmese official. The section concerning SEATO reads:

    “GUB will not join SEATO but will adopt benevolent neutral attitude. Comment: He felt GUB must not get too far ahead Burmese public opinion which still thinking in terms colonialism.” (790B.00/7–1354)

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