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

690B.9321/12–753: Telegram

No. 133
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Burma¹

secret
priority

Washington, December 7, 1953—6:58 p.m.

496. Taipei’s 328² and Bangkok’s 1135.³ Department agrees most desirable evacuation continue long as evacuees available.

Embassy Rangoon act soonest on first second and fourth points Taipei’s 328 (Rangoon 69) on basis extension till end December for time being.

Embassy Taipei inform Foreign Minister we broaching matter as requested but point out GUB unlikely grant extension until tangible evidence more evacuees forthcoming. Urge Chinese Government (a) obtain further data soonest number, quality and location additional candidates, which communicate Rangoon; (b) that movement at least some of these begin before December 15 as evidence evacuation not ending with movement scheduled December 8 (Bangkok’s 1130,⁴ also our 497 third paragraph⁵).

Taipei also stress in strongest terms necessity for more arms. Not only should Chinese Government commit additional evacuees to bring arms, but it most important back up statement made in UN December 4 by Chinese representative⁶ who said he had just received information bulk lot arms being shipped Monghsat to TachiIek arriving very soon. Bangkok inform Committee this statement and ask what developments.

Re point three Taipei’s 328, Embassy Bangkok inform Committee of developments and request it keep functioning at least till end this movement. Embassy also make recommendation for continuity US representation in view Palmer departure end of year.

Re prisoners and refugees, Bangkok’s 1123.⁷ Rangoon’s action awaiting roster (our 1145 to Bangkok)⁸ which should be furnished soonest.

Smith

1. Also sent to Taipei and Bangkok; repeated to USUN.
2. Supra.
3. Dated Dec. 7; it requested instructions as to whether the Embassy should attempt to have the evacuation continued after Dec. 8. (690B.9321/12–753)
4. Dated Dec. 6; it reported that Li Wen-pin informed the Joint Committee that no more evacuees would leave Burma after Dec. 8. (690B.9321/12–653)
5. The paragraph under reference in telegram 497 to Taipei, Dec. 3, pointed out that the foreign forces’ schedule of evacuation would not meet the Chinese commitment to evacuate 2,000 troops by Dec. 15. (690B.9321/12–253)
6. Chinese Representative Chen Chih-mai made this statement before the First Committee; for the record of the meeting, see U.N. document A.C.1/SR.679.
7. Telegram 1123, Dec. 4, concerned plans for the evacuation of Chinese prisoners and refugees from Burma and Burmese prisoners from Mong Hsat. (690B.9321/12453)
8. Telegram 1145, Dec. 4, stated that the Chinese should supply a roster of the Burmese held in Mong Hsat, as called for in the evacuation plan. (690B.9321/12–453)