Reception by Comrade N.S. Khrushchev of Ambassador Maung Ohn of Burma

Record of a Conversation [between] Cde. N. S. Khrushchev and Maung Ohn, Ambassador of Burma

20 June 1956

[page break]

THE RECEPTION OF AMBASSADOR OF BURMA MAUNG OHN BY CDE. N. S. KHRUSHCHEV

Ambassador Maung Ohn passed Cde. N. S. Khrushchev messages of Prime Minister of Burma U Ba Swe and President of the Antifascist of People’s Freedom League U Nu. The Ambassador said that U Ba Swe asked him to pass on to Cde. Khrushchev that he deeply regrets that in view of [his] great workload he cannot take advantage of the invitation of the Soviet government to come to the Soviet Union at the present time. The Ambassador said, U Ba Swe also asked [him] to again express cordial gratitude for this invitation and to pass on that he will come to the Soviet Union as soon as it becomes possible. U Ba Swe, continued the Ambassador, asked that this invitation remain in force for the future. The Ambassador said that in the near future, in July, Deputy Prime Minister U Kyaw Nyein will arrive in the USSR together with two or three Cabinet ministers. 

Khrushchev noted that he is familiar with U Kyaw Nyein, whom he met in Rangoon. Then Khrushchev said that Bulganin had informed him of the Ambassador’s idea concerning the desirability of U Ba Swe taking part in the meeting which will take place in Yugoslavia between Tito, Nehru, and Nasser. Referring to the concern expressed by the Ambassador that the Soviet government might be offended if U Ba Swe, having declined a trip to the Soviet Union in the near future, went to Yugoslavia, Khrushchev said that the Soviet government would not be offended at all. On the contrary, said Khrushchev, it will be useful. He expressed the assumption that U Ba Swe would visit the Soviet Union when he had time.

U Ba Swe’s participation in this meeting, continued Khrushchev, would be very interesting and useful both for himself as well as for the countries of Asia.

The Ambassador agreed that U Ba Swe’s participation in this meeting would be exceptionally useful. He noted that this is his own initiative and that he mentioned it this morning for the first time in a discussion with the General Secretary of the President of the Republic of Yugoslavia. The Ambassador said that he will report this to U Ba Swe later.

Khrushchev expressed support for the Ambassador’s idea.

The Ambassador expressed gratitude and the hope that the participation of U Ba Swe in the meeting would contribute to the consolidation of countries in a position of the struggle for peace and the fight against imperialism.

Khrushchev noted that before they had time to see off one guest, it was necessary to prepare to greet another.

The Ambassador replied that this is very good. There is a saying in Burma: “If a house is pleasant, guests come to it”.

Khrushchev expressed satisfaction at the results of the discussions with Tito. He said that a good declaration was signed today.

The Ambassador noted that the Burmese and all those who believe in friendship rejoice in these discussions. He said, “Our camp, if you allow me to express it that way, has confidence in our present and our future. The Americans speak of a policy from a position of strength, brag about the hydrogen weapon, but they lack confidence”. The Ambassador said further that the Soviet Union can take steps both now and in the future since it has confidence. Therefore, he said, the Soviet Union is stronger than the US. Such countries as India and Burma, continued the Ambassador, do not have a hydrogen weapon but they have confidence, and in this is their strength.

Khrushchev said that a clear policy wins friends to our side.

The Ambassador noted that the messages he presented demonstrate a desire by the leaders of Burma to further strengthen the friendship with the Soviet Union.

Khrushchev said that the trip of Bulganin and himself to Burma bolstered their confidence that the government of this country wants to have good relations with the Soviet Union and wishes its people well. Khrushchev continued, the leaders of Burma will always encounter the support of the Soviet Union in this noble cause.

The conversation lasted 15 minutes.

It was recorded by I. Bubnov.

[signature]