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

690B.9321/2–2653: Telegram

No. 40
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Republic of China¹

top secret

Washington, February 27, 1953—3:23 p.m.

628. Reur 889.² Department repeating to you Rangoon’s 1620 February 26³ concerning possibility Burmese Government raising KMT problem in UN. You will note Sebald states KMT problem creating situation which might force reorganization Burmese Government and bring about coalition with Communists. Such eventuality would be most serious and real setback efforts United States persuade Burmese Government remain side free world. Department believes matter such urgency question whether or not reported attacks in Burma all by KMT troops as suggested last paragraph your 889⁴ you should not defer action. As long any organized KMT group remains Burma it will be possible for Commie elements there put pressure on Burmese Government and whether or not KMT troops behave themselves beside point. Possible use by Commies of KMT cover as reported reftel reinforces necessity early withdrawal of latter.

It in highest United States interest we be able inform Burmese Government officially at early date Generalissimo has agreed to removal KMT troops from Burma and that practical steps being taken implement this. When can such an official statement be made?

Dulles

1. Drafted by Assistant Secretary Allison; repeated to Rangoon.
2. Telegram 889 from Taipei, Feb. 26, reported that Foreign Minister Yeh told Rankin that Chiang had assigned him and Chou Chih-jou to work out a plan for Li Mi to satisfy the United States and Burma. Yeh asked Rankin if it would help if Li Mi concentrated his forces in Mong Hsat and stayed there until a settlement was reached. (690B.9321/2–2653)
3. Telegram 1620 reported that Prime Minister Nu told the British Ambassador that his forthcoming public statement on the KMT problem would commit the Burmese Government to raise the matter in the United Nations; Nu stated that the issue might bring down his government unless it acted quickly. (690B.9321/2–2653) Sebald reported in telegram 1629, Feb. 27, that Foreign Minister Sao Hkun Hkio informed him that Nu would announce Burma’s intention to raise the issue in the United Nations in a statement to Parliament on Mar. 2. (690B.9321/2–2753) The text of the Prime Minister’s statement is in Burma Ministry of Information, Kuomintang Aggression Against Burma (Rangoon, 1953).
4. In the paragraph under reference, Rankin stated that, according to Chinese reports from Li Mi’s headquarters, some of the alleged Nationalist attacks on Burmese forces had in fact been made by Chinese Communist troops or by irregular bands over which Li Mi had no control. In addition, Burmese troops had “harassed” Chinese Nationalist supply teams. (690B.9321/2–2653)