55. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Burma1
308. Joint State–Defense message. President has approved NSC recommendation provide military assistance Burma on loan or technically reimbursable basis consistent with US interests. In attempt implement you should informally discuss with key GUB leaders (possibly Kyaw Nyein, Ba Swe and/or high level Army) to ascertain present GUB interest US military assistance.
If preliminary soundings indicate GUB desires discuss in greater detail possibility modest US assistance, you should find out whether small military mission visit would be acceptable to GUB.
Visiting mission idea discussed with Col. Maung Maung2 when he visited US would consist of General Erskine and one or two technical [Page 85] personnel All would be in civilian clothes and would have ostensible mission some other country in SEA. Visit to Burma would appear casual and incidental. Purpose of mission would be discuss with GUB Defense Leaders plans and requirements as basis determine feasibility and extent US aid possible and desirable.
Type of assistance US currently considering would include most urgently needed equipment and help meet training requirements. We assume GUB would not want any military aid which might be construed as grant assistance. We therefore willing seek formula whereby GUB would pay for equipment and services although this might involve long term token repayment and partial payment in local currency.
US cannot give long term assurance continued US military aid but US has sincere and friendly interest help Burma remain independent and secure.FYI Magnitude program contemplated would be up to ten million dollars total and deliveries might stretch out over several years. End FYI.
Report soonest result your preliminary soundings.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790B.5–MSP/9–2056. Secret.↩
- Colonel Maung Maung, Director of Military Training in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Burmese Army, accompanied General Ne Win to the United States, May–June. A memorandum of June 25 from General Erskine to Deputy Secretary of Defense Robertson reported a conversation of June 22 with Maung Maung, who stated that he and Ne Win had hoped to discuss the possibility of U.S. aid to Burma during their visit, but had been given no opportunity to do so. Maung Maung suggested that a Defense Department representative come to Burma for discussions on the subject. Erskine’s memorandum recommended that this should be done and that up to $10 million be made available for military aid to Burma. (Ibid., 790B.5–MSP/6–2556)↩
- Telegram 440 from Rangoon, October 3, reported that Satterthwaite had informed General Ne Win of the substance of the proposal and had also discussed it with Foreign Minister Sao Hkun Hkio and Barrington, and was awaiting an appointment to discuss it with the Prime Minister. (Ibid., 790B.5–MSP/10–356)↩