Reception of the Chairman of the Xinjiang Provincial Government, Burhan, 20 February 1951

From the diary of

V.A. ZORIN

SECRET copy No. 7

22 February 1951

No. 58

RECEPTION OF THE CHAIRMAN OF XINJIANG PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT BURHAN

20 February 1951

I received Burhan at his request.

In the conversation Burhan informed me that in 1950 the Central government of the PRC requested the Soviet government to send Soviet specialists for work in Xinjiang.  In connection with this, Burhan gave me a report which described the request of the Xinjiang government for the following specialists:  engineers—in hydro-technology, agronomy, veterinary technology, medicine, veterinary medicine and teaching.  Burhan expressed the suggestion that these specialists could be used in the capacity of specialists in the Xinjiang provincial government.

I answered that the suggestions of Burhan will be examined.

Further Burhan communicated that during his stay in Beijing he informed Zhou Enlai about the insufficient quantity of local national cadres in Xinjiang.  On this matter he also had a discussion with General Peng Dehuai, the Chairman of the Northwest administrative committee of the PRC, which includes the province of Xinjiang.  Burhan expressed his opinion that in the Soviet Central Asian republics they have a large collection of well-trained specialists from among Soviet citizens who previously lived in Xinjiang, who know well the situation in Xinjiang.  In regard to this he suggested to Zhou Enlai and Peng Dehuai that they appeal to the Soviet government with a request to allow Soviet citizens, who previously lived in Xinjiang, to return to Xinjiang, if they so choose, to themselves fulfill this need for cadres and the preparation of their own national cadres.

I asked Burhan how Zhou Enlai responded to his suggestion.

Burhan answered that the Zhou Enlai and Peng Dehuai responded positively.

I noted that this issue requires study from a variety of perspectives.  Evidently, we need to think about how useful it would be for Soviet citizens to return to Xinjiang.  The Xinjiang government itself must take measures to grow and develop their own cadres.

In regard to this, Burhan said that Mao Zedong also recommended that the Xinjiang government increase the number of its local cadres.

Burhan said further that the need for the preparation of cadres will become especially severe in connection with the introduction of land reform in 1952.  The introduction of land reform among the Muslim population infected by religious fanaticism will be accompanied by significant difficulties.

I agreed with Burhan, that the introduction of land reform in Xinjiang will require from the Xinjiang government significant preparatory work.

At the conclusion of the conversation I wished Burhan a happy trip.

At the reception was present Deputy Aide of the First Department of Foreign Affairs, Cde. Shesterikov.

DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS USSR

V. ZORIN

Sent to comrades:

Vyshinskii

Gromyko

Bogomolov

Gusav

Livrent’ev

Podtserob

Kurdiukov

Gen. Satff in Urumchi

For filing/9 copies