Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume XII, Part 2

690B.9321/10–1353: Telegram

No. 113
The Ambassador in Burma (Sebald) to the Department of State¹

secret
priority

Rangoon, October 13, 1953—3 p.m.

342. Mytel 335.² Following represents firm GUB views re Chinese proposals:

1. GUB unable rejoin committee;

2. Unable formally accept Chinese proposal 1500–2000 represents maximum number troops to be repatriated;

3. GUB however, commits itself not interfere with evacuation and will cooperate fully with committee in effecting same;

4. No military action will be taken between now and November 15 in order that evacuation up to 2000 may proceed smoothly;

5. GUB desires send two observer teams consisting two or three officers each team, totals six. Teams will report Burmese Embassy Bangkok. Teams will act as liaison with committee as may be necessary.

Re points c and d second paragraph Deptel 255,³ Foreign Minister stated had not considered questions occupying bases or problems arms transit Burma. Agreed confer with his colleagues and inform me decision soonest.⁴

Re point four above, Foreign Minister said date had been calculated on basis maximum 2000 troops would be evacuated and is considered reasonable and that date would, of course, be extended should further numbers agree evacuation.

Above points delivered orally but committed to writing by me and read back to Foreign Minister who concurred.

Comment: On basis above I urge immediately implementation agreement and evacuation plan.⁵ Committee contacting Burmese observers care Burmese Military Attaché Bangkok for necessary liaison with Burmese armed forces. Notwithstanding previous Burmese insistence occupation six base points, believe this no longer presents immediate problem although Burmese may desire occupy them in due course especially Mong Hsat. Should arms transit Burma become problem, I recommend committee consider feasibility destruction as delivered.

If evacuation can proceed on above basis, request immediate confirmation.

Sebald

1. Repeated to Bangkok and Taipei.
2. Dated Oct. 12; Sebald reported that the President of Burma, Dr. U Ba, told him in confidence that the Burmese Government had decided to accept the Chinese proposal but that Burma would not rejoin the Joint Committee. (690B.9321/10–1253)
3. Document 110.
4. On Oct. 13, the Embassy in Rangoon reported another conversation with the Foreign Minister, who stated that, if it was agreed that the six bases would be handed over by Nov. 25, the Burmese Government would refrain from attacking the bases until that date. The Burmese Government did not agree to the removal of the troops’ arms through Burma. (Telegram 344; 690B.9321/10–1353)
5. The Embassy in Rangoon, on Oct. 13, reported that the Committee signed the evacuation plan on Oct. 12, but that this had little meaning unless the Burmese agreed to the evacuation of 2,000 troops plus dependents. The U.S. draft agreement had been intended as the basis for the evacuation plan and, therefore, was no longer of value since the plan had been completed. (Telegram 725; 690B.9321/10–1353) The text of the evacuation plan was sent to the Department in telegram 515 from Bangkok, Sept. 15. (690B.9321/9–1553)