Office of the Historian

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

Washington, September 6, 1957—8:11 p.m.

278. Your 252,2 258,3Deptel 241.4 Prime Minister’s interest US assistance internal security important and gratifying. Believe best move this stage would be arrange visit police survey group. Without completely ruling out use PL–480 rupees for Indian assistance this field, do not consider it desirable or feasible except as last resort. Doubtful additional PL–480 rupees could be made available to Burma and believe important assistance this field be US, not Indian. In any event US would need US expert’s recommendations re types and amounts assistance.

Department notes several discrepancies Prime Minister’s comments re internal security and those expressed by Ba Swe in Washington. Nu appears desire build up police into significant force; not particularly interested in army; and wants US aid open and above board. Ba Swe appeared interested building up army for internal security mission as well as defense; expressed strong objections to big police force which might eventually lead to power competition as in Thailand; inferred US aid to police might best be handled surreptitiously. These differences may reflect important policy conflict requiring delicate US handling.

Is there possibility Nu plans utilize police diminish if not supplant political influence of Socialist-oriented army or is projected role police reasonable complementary force? In this connection what is significance rumored police and Home Ministry imminent shake-up?

With regard possible diversion some military assistance recommended by General Erskine believe this matter for US police survey group take into consideration and would expect such group include Defense representative. However, for our policy objectives appears army higher priority than police because of political influence, desirability reinforce anti-Communist orientation Burma Defense forces, and already existing potential of army to meet basic internal security mission. Advise.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790B.5–MSP/9–357. Secret; Limit Distribution.↩
  2. Document 72.↩
  3. Telegram 258 from Rangoon, September 3, reported that U Nu had asked Ambassador McConaughy whether, if the United States were unable to supply the police equipment requested by the Burmese Government, it would make available U.S.-owned Indian rupees for Burma’s use in procuring police equipment in India. (Department of State, Central Files, 790B.5–MSP/9–357)↩
  4. Document 71.↩