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

690B.9321/12–1953: Telegram

No. 139
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Burma¹

secret

Washington, December 23, 1953—4:21 p.m.

548. Taipei’s 361.²

1. Believe Chinese aide-mémoire satisfactory starting point for seeking agreement further evacuation. Embassies Rangoon and Bangkok authorized orally convey proposals to Burmese and Thai Governments. If Burmese Government desires proposals in writing Rangoon may submit memorandum following suggestions Taipei’s 85 rptd Department 369 Bangkok 90³ and should send text to Bangkok, Taipei and Washington.

2. Believe committee of military representatives offers best means negotiating and implementing agreement. Participation Burmese Government appears essential to success.

3. Believe agreement on bonus payments, airlift to Thailand from northern points, evacuation KMT bases, and participation guerrilla leaders in work of committee can best be sought in first instance in military committee with diplomatic negotiations reserved for points on which committee unable agree. Department favors transshipment arms via Thailand and hopes Thai Government will reconsider attitude.

4. As suggested by Thai Government (Bangkok’s 1243)⁴ hope Burmese Government will recognize fairness sharing expenses hitherto borne by US, Thailand, China.

5. Information Bangkok and Taipei indicates useless insist any more KMT troops leave Burma December.

6. Department not inclined recommend contributions to payment debts within Burma and believes matter one for handling by Chinese Government which can make arrangements directly with jungle generals.

Dulles

1. Also sent to Bangkok and Taipei.
2. Telegram 361, Dec. 19, transmitted the text of an aide-mémoire received that day from the Chinese Foreign Office, which stated that: (1) The Chinese Government had persuaded the leaders of the guerrilla forces to evacuate more men from Burma, and it was expected that the number would far exceed 2,000; (2) beginning in mid-January, 150 men would be evacuated every other day, with the number increasing to 150 per day, to a total of 2,000 for the first month, and when two-thirds of that number had been evacuated, the Joint Committee would be notified of the number expected in the second month; (3) the guerrilla forces had requested $250,000 to settle their debts and compensate individuals for their horses, mules, and arms; (4) the guerrillas had offered to evacuate two of their main bases before Dec. 29; (5) the guerrillas had requested that they be permitted to bring their arms to Taiwan, and the Chinese Government thought this would greatly help to induce the evacuees to bring their arms out rather than to dispose of them to the local population; (6) the guerrilla leaders wished to send a representative to the Joint Military Committee to help work out an evacuation plan, and the Chinese Government considered this highly desirable; and (7) the Chinese Government hoped the Burmese Government would extend the ceasefire to allow sufficient time for the preparation and execution of the evacuation plan. (690B.9321/12–1953)
3. This telegram, Dec. 23, stated that the Chinese Foreign Ministry agreed that the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon should transmit to the Burmese Government paragraphs 1, 2, and 4 of the aide-mémoire, in their original form, and the substance of paragraphs 6 and 7. (690B.9321/12–2353)
4. Not printed.