Office of the Historian

690B.9321/3–1353: Telegram

No. 48
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Republic of China1

top secret
priority
Washington, March 13, 1953—6:30 p.m.

700. Re last sentence paragraph 1 your 9562 Foreign Minister should be informed position taken Department’s 6883 and previous on subject KMT troops Burma not “Department’s position” but position whole US Government. This made clear to Madame Chiang4 by President on March 9 and was re-emphasized to her afternoon March 12.…

Your 956 gives impression Chinese Government consider themselves almost at war with Burma and that they look upon order for KMT troops to withdraw as surrender to Burma. US does not understand this reasoning. As pointed out to Ambassador Koo and reported Department’s 671 to Taipei,5 concentration of outlying forces in Taipei would be sound military move. It would not in any way constitute a surrender to Burma.

In view fact that Chinese troops are on Burmese territory without permission as result of defeat by Chinese Communists and that they have been thrown back into Burma by Chinese Communists when attempting return to Yunnan, it is difficult understand Chinese Foreign Minister suggesting that agreement set up tripartite body to investigate would go long way toward “meeting legitimate demands of Burmese.” Burmese completely within their rights in demanding expulsion these troops from Burmese territory and if Chinese Government will not even agree in principle that this should be done, US Government would find great difficulty in coming to support Chinese in UN if Burmese bring matter before General Assembly. On other hand Rangoon’s 17466 (being rptd [Page 72] Taipei) states while Burmese have now made decision raise KMT matter UN, if US efforts solve problem successful they would reconsider. Further helpful is Bangkok’s 17787 which states Thai Government prepared facilitate evacuation unarmed troops through Thailand if evacuation through Burmese port unfeasible.

Although Department recognizes and appreciates steps already taken by Chinese Government (your 936),8 continued refusal of Chinese Government accede to requests US Government in this matter coupled with reasons mentioned your 9479 for recent resignation K. C. Wu10 would perhaps indicate US should take new look whole Chinese situation to determine whether or not its present policies toward Formosa are sound. Department remains of opinion one essential step remaining to be taken this stage is agreement in principle to remove troops from Burma as stated paragraph 1 Department’s 688.

Dulles
  1. Drafted by Allison.↩
  2. Supra.↩
  3. See footnote 1, supra.↩
  4. Madame Chiang Kai-shek was preparing to return to Taiwan after a visit of several months in the United States.↩
  5. Document 43.↩
  6. Not printed.↩
  7. Not printed.↩
  8. See footnote 1, Document 44.↩
  9. Not printed.↩
  10. K. C. Wu had recently resigned as governor of Taiwan Province.↩