209. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, July 1, 19551
SUBJECT
- 1. MDAP Agreement with Cambodia.
- 2. Lessening of Tension in the Taiwan Area.
PARTICIPANTS
- U Nu, Prime Minister of Burma
- U Thant, Secretary to U Nu
- James Barrington, Ambassador of Burma
- The Secretary
- FE—Walter S. Robertson
- FE—William J. Sebald
Prime Minister U Nu referred to a telegram from Chou En-lai to Nehru, which had been repeated to him, on the subject of the MDAP agreement with Cambodia. Three objections were raised by Chou En-lai: (a) a statement incorporated by reference in the exchange of notes that Cambodia has agreed to make, “consistent with its political and economic stability, the full contribution permitted by [Page 463] its manpower, resources, faculties, and general economic condition to the development and maintenance of its own defensive strength and the defensive strength of the free world”; (b) the provisions of paragraph 9 which provide in effect that Cambodia will by mutual agreement furnish to the Government of the United States or any other governments equipment, etc., as may be mutually agreed upon to increase their capacity for individual or collective defense, etc.; and (c) the provision providing for sending military equipment and materials to other countries in transit through Cambodia free of duty.
The Secretary referred to the language of the charter of the United Nations and specifically to article 51, pointing out that the language used in the MDAP agreement was almost identical with that of the charter. He said that the agreement had been carefully examined and in our opinion does not in any way violate the Geneva agreement. We have been scrupulous in conforming with the armistice provisions in Viet-Nam, Laos and Cambodia and the agreement does not in any way represent a departure from this policy. The Secretary pointed out that the objections raised by Chou are more political than legal.
Some general discussion followed in response to U Nu’s question whether the ICC has given a report on its findings concerning the MDAP agreement. Mr. Robertson explained the present situation, pointing out that Canada strongly supports a finding that the agreement does not violate the Geneva accords. India, on the other hand, is somewhat doubtful and Poland, as might be expected, supports the Communist thesis.
[Here follows discussion on item 2, “Lessening of Tension in the Taiwan Area.”]
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751H.5–MSP/7–155. Secret. Drafted by Sebald.↩