British Observer For Panglong Arrives

British Observer For Panglong Arrives 

Back To The Past-Today 
4 February 1947 

The Labor Government's representative to observe the proceedings of the ongoing Panglong Conference arrived in Rangoon today. 

Arthur George Bottomley, 40, Under Secretary for the Dominions, arrived with his companion, Bernard Ledwidge. They were welcomed by Sir Hubert Rance, Governor of Burma, at the Government House. 

According to his memoirs, he was selected for the job because of my ability to get on well with the Asians. Also the Burmese delegation thought that he "should have some influence in convincing" the AFPFL (Anti Fascist People's Freedom League - Aung San's Party) back home about the London Agreement. 

At the same time, the Burmese were doubtful 'about the desirability of my attending the Panglong Conference'. They were clearly afraid that his presence, 'far from unifying Burma, . . would . . . keep her divided'. 

Credit: Burma's Struggle For Independence (1946-48), Hugh Tinker