62. Telegram From the Embassy in Burma to the Department of State1
1167. Pass Defense. Defense pass General Erskine, Manila. Deptel 965.2 Erskine returned from trip northern Burma March 6 and was fully occupied remaining two days here with further visits to army installations and talks with General Ne Win and staff. Yesterday we called on Prime Minister Nu and Defense Minister Ba Swe, accompanied by Colonels Nash and Blencoe3 and service attachés, followed by luncheon given by Ba Swe for same group and wives. Erskine mission departed last night.
Because of many appointments made for him General Erskine found it impossible prepare brief summary report4 before his departure but will endeavor do so in Manila. (He by-passed Bangkok at Ambassador Bishop’s suggestion.) He told me he was however greatly impressed by high standards he encountered during his visit, by enthusiasm of officers he met and by excellent staff work of High Command in preparation for his visit.
Points made Deptel 965 were helpful in course our conversations yesterday. With Nu we spoke only in generalities. Ba Swe had suggested this and Nu did not ask any detailed questions. He was however most cordial and expressed sincere wish for Erskine mission’s success. Colonel Aung Gyi was only other Burmese present this interview.
At final meeting with Ba Swe and Colonel Aung Gyi we asked about future channels communication. They requested that communications pass from Washington through this Embassy and that Colonel Thelen5 pass them on to Colonel Maung Maung. They said [Page 98] they would keep Burmese Foreign Office informed in general terms but not of details. Ba Swe and Aung Gyi specifically requested that Burmese Embassy Washington not be informed these conversations and that no communications on subject Erskine mission be forwarded through Burmese Embassy.
Since Burmese High Command shared with General Erskine what it described as “all its secrets” including set up its intelligence school, Erskine and I agree on importance restricting information obtained by Erskine and Colonels Nash and Blencoe to those persons who have need know and that under no circumstances should this information be shared with any foreign government.
We found it unnecessary issue press release although photograph of General and party taken in Mandalay under caption “Major General Erskine of US Army Mission” was published in one Mandalay and two Rangoon papers.
Erskine informs me that amount military equipment desired has been scaled down and placed in order priority in realistic manner. His report must of course speak for itself but in view foregoing and my conversations with Erskine I feel much more optimistic than hitherto over possibility reaching agreement satisfactory both sides.