790B.00/2–552: Telegram
No. 8
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom
(Gifford) to the Department of State
priority
3398. For Secretary from John Cooper. On Fri Feb 1 Mr. Thein head of Burmese delegation talked to me about Chin Nationalist troops in Burma and extended the statement he had made in the comite. He said additional troops were joining orig Nationalist body in small grps coming he believed from Formosa. Five helicopters had been seen dropping weapons very recently. He stated that Formosa was assisting troops. Accepted statement that no US aid was being given but said that Americans had been seen and that he believed that supply was under direction of Gen Chennault.1 In his view sitn not dangerous if Chi aid from Formosa stopped and if Amer personnel removed. Urged strongly that I speak to SecState and even Pres to ask them to take steps without any delay to stop Chi Nationalist aid to forces in Burma and to get Americans out. If these not done he thought dangerous that Chi Communists might use any excuse to cross border. I was impressed by the sincerity of Thein’s remarks and wish personally to urge that action be taken to remove any factors which directly or indirectly cld associate US with this force.
- Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault, USAF, retired, was chairman of the Board of Civil Air Transport, Inc., in the Republic of China.↩