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

690B.9321/8–653: Telegram

No. 89
The Ambassador in the Republic of China (Rankin) to the Department of State¹

secret

Taipei, August 6, 1953—6 p.m.

84. Reference Deptel 67 repeated Rangoon 66 Bangkok 201;² Embtel 78 repeated Bangkok 11, Rangoon 11.³ Foreign Office memo received August 6 in reply our memo⁴ based on referenced Deptel answered lettered paragraphs that telegram as follows:

a. During past few days Chinese Government has been able impress upon Li Tse-fen and other leaders Chinese forces in Burma its determination bring about maximum troop withdrawal. Chinese Government also obtained assurance these leaders will “exercise utmost efforts to bring about desired evacuation.” Li Tse-fen will return Bangkok soon to participate in four power conference and work out feasible plan for evacuation. As far as Chinese Government concerned question of civilian internees only problem remaining be solved before over-all agreement can be reached. Chinese Government originally proposed and still believes these civilians should be released. Yet Chinese Government willing in order facilitate committee work to accept Thai compromise proposal of voluntary repatriation with those electing remain to be dealt with according Burmese law. In opinion Chinese Government this question clearly within competence committee because without presence Li Mi forces these overseas Chinese would not have been interned. (They are charged with collaborating with Li Mi which Chinese say consisted of selling him supplies.) Hence Chinese Government urges US Government reconsider its stand on this question and seek agreement Burmese Government to resolving issue in committee along lines Thai compromise. Bilateral negotiation difficult since Chinese Government and Burmese have no diplomatic relations.

b. Chinese Government regrets not being able consider issuance personal order from President urging Li Mi forces withdraw from Burma. Forces under Li Mi are local inhabitants Yunnan–Burma border areas united by will to fight Communists. An order for their withdrawal from area besides being ultra vires is bound to meet strong opposition. It would not be reasonable expect President to give order beyond competence and to which he cannot expect obedience. Chinese Government has requested Li Mi to issue such an order to his forces but request was rejected. Li Mi has agreed however to issue statement dissolving Yunnan People’s Anti-Communist and National Salvation Army upon evacuation of those among his troops willing to leave.

c. Chinese Government will authorize Colonel I Fu-de propose that immediately following signature of agreement committee proceed Mong Hsat to make final withdrawal arrangements.

d. Chinese Government has already secured Li Mi’s promise not to make any further press statement or take action liable obstruct work of committee.

e. While appreciative proposed utilization funds equivalent US $20 per evacuee, Chinese Government cannot make offer as if it was their own and does not believe offer would be any inducement to those opposed to evacuation. On other hand those who can be persuaded will come without pecuniary inducement.

In effort persuade troops to withdraw Chinese Government has promised they will retain entity as separate unit within forces on Formosa unlike forces from Indochina which have been dispersed among regular units here. This connection Chinese Government wishes recall conversation March 6, 1953 between Under Secretary Smith and Ambassador Koo⁵ in which former reportedly said US Government prepared assist Chinese Government in establishing two new divisions out of troops returning from Indochina and Burma by providing arms and equipment. Chinese Government would like to take up this question at later date when number evacuees from Burma becomes known.

Rankin

1. Repeated to Bangkok and Rangoon.
2. Document 87.
3. Dated Aug. 4; the Embassy reported it learned that a top-level Chinese Government meeting, at which Li Mi and Li Tse-fen were present, had resulted in telegrams being sent to Mong Hsat stating that between 2,000 and 3,000 troops must be evacuated. (690B.9321/8–453)
4. Neither printed.
5. See Document 43. Telegram 10 to Taipei, Aug. 12, pointed out that the Under Secretary had referred to possible U.S. assistance to re-equip the troops returning to Formosa but had made no specific commitment. (690B.9321/8–653)