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

790B.00/7–1652: Telegram

No. 20
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Republic of China¹

secret

Washington, July 23, 1952—4:41 p.m.

52. Re Rangoon’s 81 Jul 16 rptd info Bangkok 7 Taipei 2.² Dept shares Emb’s concern reports negots between KMT troops Burm and Karen insurgent group with object collaboration. Dept agrees such connection cld have serious effect on security situation Burm and wld have highly adverse effect on Burm relations with US, Thai and Chi Nationalists. This wld be substantial advantage to Commie insurgents and to Chi Commies.

Emb Taipei shld summarize for FonOff substance reports reaching Dept and inquire whether FonOff has recd relevant info. After exchange info Emb shld inform FonOff that Dept views these reports with deep concern and believes that outside assistance to insurgents in Burm wld seriously jeopardize present efforts to halt Communism SEA. Dept also suggests that attn FonOff be invited to inevitable adverse reaction GOB re any developments linking Chi Govt with internal affairs Burm. Emb Bangkok shld express to FonOff Dept’s concern at these reports and endeavor elicit expression of views as to action which might be taken to discourage such negots and prevent involvement KMT troops in internal affairs Burm.

Wld appreciate Bangkok’s views third para reftel.³

Acheson

1. Also sent to Bangkok and repeated to Rangoon.
2. Telegram 81 stated the Embassy’s concern over increasing reports of cooperation between the Nationalist troops in Burma and Karen insurgents. The Embassy believed such cooperation could cause grave deterioration in Burma’s internal security and in Burmese relations with the United States, Thailand, and the Republic of China. (790B.00/7–1652)
3. The paragraph under reference requested an appraisal of the possibility of Thai encouragement of increased cooperation between the Chinese troops and the Karens in order to establish a buffer against a possible Chinese Communist invasion along the Thai-Burmese border. Telegram 168 from Bangkok, July 26, replied that, according to the Embassy’s information, the Thai Government was not backing the Karens and was more concerned with Thailand’s eastern border than with the Thai-Burmese border. The Embassy questioned the advisability of approaching the Foreign Office on a matter in which the United States appeared to have only an indirect interest. (790B.00/7–2652)