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

690B.9321/6–2254: Telegram

No. 169
The Ambassador in the Republic of China (Rankin) to the Department of State¹

secret

Taipei, June 22, 1954—9 p.m.

703. Department’s 941 and 933.² Delivered forceful note based on 933 to Chinese Foreign Minister afternoon June 18³ and simultaneously emphasized points orally. Latest inquiry reveals subject under discussion at highest government levels with decision expected tomorrow or next day.

On basis conversation with Foreign Minister’s subordinate who handle day to day leg work on Burma evacuation problem, we are hopeful that Chinese Government will cancel its proposed unilateral statement and subscribe to joint committee release in Bangkok’s 2520.⁴ In this connection, Foreign Office subordinate agreed inclusion September 1 date (Department’s 941)⁵ most desirable.

We have kept Foreign Office fully informed all developments including apparent Burmese willingness conclude evacuation within brief period.

Will report urgently Chinese Government’s decision and any other developments.⁶

Rankin

1. Repeated to Bangkok and Rangoon.
2. Telegram 933 to Taipei, June 16, instructed the Embassy to urge the Chinese Government to cooperate with the Joint Committee in carrying out a close-out operation to evacuate stragglers and to refrain from issuing a statement unilaterally declaring the evacuation at an end and repudiating the troops remaining in Burma. (690B.9321/6–1654) The Chinese Government declared its intention of issuing such a statement in a memorandum given to the U.S. Embassy on June 16, the text of which was reported in telegram 679 from Taipei, June 16. (690B.9321/6–1654) Telegram 941 to Taipei, June 21, again urged Chinese agreement to the evacuation of stragglers. (690B.9321/6–2154)
3. Not printed.
4. Dated June 18; it reported that the Joint Committee representatives tentatively approved a proposed Committee press release announcing the conclusion of the regular evacuation program and the continuation of evacuation facilities for a reasonable period of time. (690B.9321/6–1854)
5. Telegram 941, cited in footnote 2 above, was also sent to Bangkok and recommended that the Joint Committee’s press release should specify Sept. 1 as the cut-off date for the final evacuation operations.
6. On July 29, the Joint Military Committee issued a press release declaring that the regular program of evacuation had been completed but that the Committee was maintaining evacuation facilities for those who chose to evacuate before Sept. 1. The final report of the Joint Military Committee was submitted to the U.N. Secretary-General on Sept. 28; for text, see U.N. document A/2740.