Office of the Historian

49. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Burma1

Washington, June 28, 1956—8:56 p.m.

1307. Unless objection perceived deliver following letter from Secretary to Prime Minister:

“Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

I would like to congratulate you on your appointment as Prime Minister and take this occasion to reaffirm my country’s warm friendship and to wish you and your Government continued success in satisfying the aspirations and peaceful desires of your countrymen.

President Eisenhower has asked me to communicate with your Government regarding proposals for economic assistance which were made in a letter to him from U Nu, dated May 22, 1956.

As you are aware, my country has high regard for Burma and her people. The United States is prepared to renew economic assistance to Burma in accordance with the spirit of U Nu’s letter and I have, therefore, authorized our Embassy in Rangoon to make itself [Page 78] available to your Government for the negotiation of the terms and uses of the proposed assistance.

I would like to assure you that my Government is favorably disposed to assist your Government in its efforts to help the people of Burma further their economic and social progress and maintain their independence. John Foster Dulles.”2

Negotiating instructions follow.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790B.13/6–2856. Confidential.↩
  2. Telegram 5 from Rangoon, July 2, reported that the Secretary’s message was delivered that day through the Foreign Office. (Ibid., 790B.13/7–256)↩