690B.9321/4–954
No. 159
President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Nu1
Dear Mr. Prime Minister: Thank you for your letter of March fifteenth in which you set forth certain views regarding the evacuation of foreign forces from Burma. I am keenly aware of your concern in the matter, having myself followed the progress of the operation, and I fully understand your position. I also believe that this understanding is shared by informed American opinion.
At the time of the American Ambassador’s discussion with your Foreign Minister,2 we were indeed concerned with the effect which the reported initiation of Burmese military operations might have on the efforts of the Joint Military Committee to complete its mission. Happily the evacuation was completed as planned.
I am deeply gratified, as I am sure you are, to note that the evacuation of almost 5,000 irregulars from the Shan State has been accomplished through the international cooperation of Burma, Thailand, the Republic of China, and the United States. We have consistently recognized that there were limits to what could be achieved through international action, but I sincerely hope that the results attained will have contributed substantially to a final solution of the problem.
A share of credit is due the Chinese Government, without whose cooperation no evacuation would have been possible. President [Page 219] Chiang Kai-shek took a direct interest in the operation, and I understand that his personal appeal was largely responsible for the fact that many more irregulars were persuaded to leave than had been expected. Even though this appeal was not made publicly, it was nonetheless effective. The Chinese Government has, of course, stated publicly that those irregulars who refuse to leave Burma can count on no support whatsoever.
In closing I assure you of my continued interest in the problem. In particular, I hope that the further evacuation, now in prospect from the Tenasserim Peninsula, may contribute toward solving Burma’s difficulties with its own insurgents in that area.
Sincerely,
- The letter was sent to Rangoon for transmittal to the Prime Minister as an enclosure to instruction CA–5704, Apr. 9, which noted that a copy had been given to Ambassador Barrington. (690B.9321/4–954)↩
- See Document 151.↩