U.S. POLICY IN BURMA

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26856, 8 October 1952, Page 9

U.S. POLICY IN BURMA

“Not Seeking Bases” (Rec. 11 p.m.) RANGOON, October 7. The American Ambassador to Burma (Mr William J. Sebald) today denied that the United States is seek-

ing bases in Burma. In his first public statement of American policy towards Burma since his arrival in July, Mr Sebald said in| Mandalay: “You have heard untrue charges that the United States wants to reduce Burma to a new colonial status, that it discriminates against the peoples of Asia, and that American friendliness is but a ruse to gain her selfish ends. You have heard the lie that American technical co-opera-tion and assistance are only an. imperialist trick to catch the unwary and trap the unwise. “These and other false charges often arise from misinformation, but more often from sources interested in furthering their own malicious designs. America’s relationship with Burma will always be a true expression of deep, lasting, and constructive friendship.” Mr Sebald said America wanted Burma to be strong and sovereign. To that end it had tried and was trying to give encouragement to help solve the difficult and manifold problems Burma was facing. Burma, as a free nation, should be strong enough to deter external aggression and surmount internal subversion.