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(d) that His Majesty's forces bringing help and support to Burma by agreement with the Government of Burma or to any part of the Commonwealth by agreeinent with the Government of Burma and with the Government of that part of the Commonwealth shall be afforded all reasonable assistance including facilities of access and entry into Burma by air, land and sea.
Further Negotiations
9. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude either party from opening fresh negotiations with the other on any matter within the defence sphere, but such negotiations shall not, except by agreement, affect the obligations of either party under this Agreement.
Duration
10. The provisions of this Agreement shall remain in operation in the first instance for three years from the transfer of power and thereafter subject to twelve inonths' notice on either side.
BO LET YA,
29th August, 1947.
JOHN W. FREEMAN,
29th August, 1947.
APPENDIX (ARTICLE 5)
Vessels now on loan which His Majesty's Government agree to transfer free of cost to the Government of Burma:
One Ocean-going Vessel (His Majesty's Government require the frigate
FAL now
on loan but will consider the offer of a corvette in
substitution).
Thirteen Harbour Defence Motor Launches.
Three 90-ft. Motor Fishing Vessels. Two 613-ft. Motor Fishing Vessels.
One 45-ft. Motor Fishing Vessel.
Five Harbour Launches, Petrol.
Six Fast Motor Boats.
Four Cargo Lighters (viz., two R.C.L., two "Z" craft). Two Motor Minesweepers.
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B.D.M./6
9
British Defence Mission to Burma. My dear Minister. of Defence,
Rangoon, 29th August, 1947 Thank you for your letter of 29th August. It is, of course, the intention of the United Kingdom Government, in concluding the Defence Agreement under reference, that it shall be made to work effectively. In the event of the United Kingdom Government being unable to provide a mission capable of carrying out its task effectively, agree with you that a new situation would arise and both parties could properly re-examine the matter in the light of Clause 9.
Yours sincerely, (Signed) J. FREEMAN,
Chairman.
British Defence Mission to Burma, My dear Minister of Defence,
Rangoon, 29th August, 1947 I think it somewhat below the dignity of our two Governments to include in a formal agreement between them the latter part of Article 5 relating to naval vessels in the latest draft of our Defence Agreement, On the other hand, the point relating to the use and disposal of the vessels is of some importance, and I suggest that instead of writing it into the agreement you should let me have an acknowledgement of this present letter, and in it place on record the fact that your Government has agreed that the naval vessels referred to in the Appendix to Clause 5 of the Defence Agreement shall only be employed for Government purposes and shall not be sold for commercial or other uses.
Yours sincerely, (Signed) JOHN FREEMAN.
To the Hon. Bo Let Ya,
Counsellor for Defence,
Government of Burma,
Rangoon.
My dear Mr. Freeman,
Rangoon, 29th August, 1947
I acknowledge with thanks your note of to-day's date. The Government of Burina have agreed that the naval vessels referred to in the Appendix to Clause 5 of the Defence Agreement shall only be employed for Government purposes and shall not be sold for commercial or other uses.
Yours sincerely, (Signed) BO LET YA.
To J. Freeman, Esq., M.B.E., M.P.,
Chairman, British Defence Mission to Burma.
Dear Mr. Freeman,
Government of Burma,
Defence Department, Rangoon, 29th August, 1947 In connexion with Articles 4 (i) and 8 (a) of our Agreement about the provision of a British Naval, Military and Air Force Mission for Burma, I would like, if you agree, to place on record our expectation that as Burma has agreed to receive no Mission from outside the Commonwealth the United Kingdom Government will do their best to provide qualified advisers and other staff for the Mission in sufficient numbers, but that if this should prove impossible through lack of volunteers or other causes, it may become necessary for the two Governments to take advantage of Article 9 to terminate the provisions relating to the Mission.
J. Freeman, Esq., M.B.E., M.P.,
Yours sincerely, (Signed) BO LET YA
Chairman, British Defence Mission to Burma.
Sir,
EXCHANGE OF NOTES
No. 1
Mr. C. R. Attlee to Thakin Nu
10 Downing Street,
London, 17th October, 1947 WITH a view to the most friendly commercial relations with the new independent State of Burma, the Government of the United Kingdom are desirous to conclude a Commercial Treaty with the least possible delay, but
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