690B.9321/10–153: Telegram
No. 109
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in the Republic of
China1
priority
282. Following is text personal letter from President Eisenhower to President Chiang handed Chinese Ambassador September 30 by Assistant Secretary Robertson:
[Here follows the substance of Document 107.]
In presenting letter to Ambassador Koo, Robertson stressed necessity Chinese Government’s making strongest possible case in UN. Chinese Government needed to show that it had done everything it could bring about evacuation maximum number troops and that it would extend neither material nor moral support to troops which ignored its recommendation to leave Burma. While recognizing [Page 155] difficulty Chinese Government committing itself to evacuation more than 2,000, Robertson indicated Chinese Government should exert efforts get more out if possible and abandon all six bases. He also pointed out necessity issuance unequivocal public statement at highest level setting target date for completion evacuation. Koo after reading copy of letter said would cable it Taipei immediately.
Said his Government already had substantially agreed to our request in memo last week to Embassy Taipei. Said not more than 2,000 troops in Burma come from Yunnan. Others were natives Burma side border who joined Li Mi. Said Chinese Government proposed evacuate 2,000 plus several hundred dependents by air from northern Thailand in 10 day period beginning October 5. He urged us influence Burmese refrain from current air attacks Li Mi forces Monghsat. Said such attacks not only make evacuation difficult if not impossible but also naturally infuriated Li Mi forces and made them less likely heed withdrawal advice. Implied these attacks as well Burmese impatience at Bangkok conference cast doubt Burmese good faith. Koo was assured Department urging Burmese Government exercise moderation and restraint pending completion withdrawal operation.
During courtesy call by Chiang Ching-kuo2 on President Eisenhower September 29, President indicated his concern with problem Chinese troops Burma and strongly urged Chinese Government get troops out at earliest date. Chiang replied his Government doing everything possible accomplish this objective.