Asia 841
territory. Approximately 2,000 Kuomintang troops initially arrived in Burma in Janu-
ary 1950, and by April 1951, they had successfully increased their numbers to 4,000
by recruiting from the native population and surrounding areas. The nationalists were
also likely cooperating with the Burmese Karen rebels, an internal threat that was
diverting attention away from the Chinese guerrillas and making organization and
growth possible for them within Burma. The guerrillas hoped to establish control of
territory that would let them fight Communist Chinese across the border into the Yun-
nan province. The Burmese government also claimed that supplies and weapons were
continually airlifted into Burmese territory, enabling the rebels to continue attacks and
seizures within Burma.
By the end of 1951, the number of Kuomintang rebels had increased to 6,000
and then reached 12,000 by March 1953. As the number of guerrillas increased, the
nationalists also increased the amount of area they attempted to control in Burma,
prompting counter attacks from Burmese forces. In March 1953, Burmese forces
launched a strong offensive in which more than 500 Chinese nationalists were report-
edly killed. Later in March, the Burmese government lodged a complaint with the
United Nations against the Government of Taiwan for its alleged support for the
Kuomintang guerrillas. Burmese forces expelled guerrillas from a number of areas,
including their main base, in April 1953. In mid-May, when rebels attempted to
regain control of their headquarters, the Burmese counterattack killed an estimated
900 nationalists.
On May 23, 1953, negotiations began that were intended to provide a plan for
removing the Chinese nationalists from Burma. The Burmese government and
Chinese Nationalist government agreed to these talks, instigating a ceasefire situa-
tion when Burmese forces stopped pursuit of the guerrillas during the negotiations.
The talks failed, however, after the Kuomintang rebel leader refused to comply
with the UN agreement. In September, the Burmese government pulled out of
further negotiations, and its troops began strong offensives against the rebels (see
MID#2001).
Coding changes: Settlement changed from None.
MID#2001
Dispute Number: 2001
Date(s): September 20, 1953 to November 8, 1953
Participants: 713 Taiwan/775 Myanmar
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side A (Negotiated)
Fatalities: 101–250 deaths
Narrative: After defeat in the Chinese civil war, more than 1,000 Kuomintang
(KMT) troops moved into Burma. Burma protested to Taiwan and attempted to force
the KMT to leave. The KMT resisted and actively supported the Karen, who were
attempting to overthrow the Burmese government, and built its troop level to 12,000
by 1952. On May 23, 1952, the US military attaché in Thailand, Colonel R. V. Palmer,
mediated between the disputants and Thailand in Bangkok, then on June 22, the US
embassy in Bangkok announced that the disputants reached an agreement whereby