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

690B.9321/3–1253: Telegram

No. 47
The Chargé in the Republic of China (Rankin) to the Department of State

top secret

Taipei, March 12, 1953—6 p.m.

956. Saw Foreign Minister again today after receipt Department’s telegram 688 March 11¹ regarding troops in Burma. His opinion remains that Chinese Government cannot announce agreement in principle to action President Chiang and others consider impracticable. Also that until exact composition and voting procedure of investigatory body determined Chinese Government cannot agree abide by its findings. However Foreign Minister will again discuss Department’s position with Chiang.

Recent press dispatches from Rangoon apparently confirmed Foreign Minister’s expectation that advance commitment by Chinese Government to withdraw troops would be publicized by Burmese as victory before facts ascertained and implementation agreed upon. Such publicity has already occurred in anticipation of Chinese Government commitment which latter may now consider itself forced to deny in order offset adverse effects on Li Mi’s troops and Chinese public opinion which it had hoped to avoid.

Foreign Minister said new report just received by Minister of National Defense of another Burmese attack with planes and armor on Chinese forces. He remarked continuation such attacks may leave no alternative to simply allowing Burmese mop up Li Mi forces as best they can. Meanwhile he said orders had been issued to Chinese Air Force to allow no plane take off for Burma from any airport here.

Actually an agreement to set up tripartite body which would investigate situation and report seems to go long way toward meeting legitimate demands of Burmese. It appears certain that majority of Chinese including families in Northeast Burma could not be handled in operation such as that under discussion to date. Investigators could therefore report on this aspect in addition to evacuation of certain number of military.

I recommend we seek agreement with Chinese Government and Burma Government on setting up investigatory body creation of which would in itself be substantial concession to Burmese position since subsequent action in latter’s favor would be unmistakably implied.

Rankin

1. Telegram 688 reported the Department’s opinion that a tripartite investigatory body might be of value but only if the Chinese first agreed in principle to the removal of the troops. (690B.9321/3–1053)