The Sudden Smile

The news that the distinguished visitor was on his way came so unexpectedly that Peking barely had time to arrange the customary "spontaneous demonstrations" in his honor. At the last minute, some 3,000 shivering workers were rounded up and hustled off to the airport to chant "Long live Premier Ne Win of Burma!" But stern-faced General Ne Win was not in Peking for empty courtesies.

Ever since he and the army took over the wobbly and corrupt government of Burma 15 months ago, he has been anxiously trying to settle the country's longstanding border dispute with Red China. But each time agreement seemed near on the three disputed villages and the two large (180 sq. mi.) tracts of land, the Chinese would find that some new "adjustments" would have to be made. Last week, having had a change of heart, Peking brought its long filibuster to an end.

After only five days, complete settlement was reached on a dispute which, according to Ne Win, "has defied solution for 100 years." In exchange for the three villages and one 80-sq.-mi. area, Red China surrendered all claims to a 100-sq.-mi. triangle southeast of Bhamo. The two nations also signed a ten-year nonaggression pact. "We are determined." beamed Premier Chou Enlai, "to make the border between our countries one of peace and friendship." What had changed Peking's mind? In the past year Communist China's once great prestige in India, Burma and Indonesia has fallen, largely as a result of the ugly adventures in Tibet and Peking's quarrels with India. Since Nikita Khrushchev, still in his Camp David mood, is about to visit not only India and Indonesia but also Burma, Peking apparently felt in need of patching up at least one "friendship." As for Ne Win, the last mission of his reform government now accomplished, he is free to keep his promise to turn Burma back to civilian government next week.

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