690B.9321/9–2853
No. 107
President Eisenhower to President Chiang
Kai-shek1
Dear Mr. President: I have been following closely the international efforts which have been under way for some time to bring about a solution of the serious problem created by the presence of the Chinese irregular forces in Burma. I am confident that you share my concern that these efforts be successful. I am now writing to you personally regarding this matter because I feel that the time has come when concrete results must be produced if this problem is to be resolved at all. While recognizing that there are limits on the degree of influence which your Government exercises over the forces in Burma, I feel that this fact should not deter you from utilizing your influence to the maximum to bring about immediately [Page 153] the evacuation of as many of the irregular forces as possible and to make clear that those who remain will not have your sympathy or support. Unless such concrete results can be achieved, I fear that a situation will be created which the communists will not fail to exploit to their advantage and to the detriment of both your Government and the Burmese Government.
I am also writing today to the Prime Minister of Burma,2 expressing my concern that current international efforts toward resolving this problem not fail and urging him to recognize the practical limitations to the action which the Chinese and other Governments can take to resolve the problem.
You may be assured that the United States will continue to strive for an early solution of this problem acceptable to all Governments concerned, but in doing so it must rely on the sincere and wholehearted cooperation of such Governments. In the light of the close and cordial relationships which exist between our two Governments, I am confident that I can count on your full cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,3