793B.00/6–1551: Telegram
The Chargé in India (Steere) to the Secretary of State
3643. Accord Hong Kong tel 3768 June 131 ChiDel may leave Hong Kong by air for Yatung via India about June 20. If Tibet finally decides disavow Sino-Tib agreement (Embtel 3576 June 11) it will undoubtedly wish publicly make known its attitude before ChiDel reaches India possibly as early as June 22. Based on convs with Shakabpa it also seems probable Tib will wish send new appeal UN.
Under these circumstances Emb believes US Govt itself might wish issue statement its views immed fol Tib statement and before dispatch new UN appeal. Such statement by US wld clearly make known US attitude toward aggression as practiced by Red Chi in Tibet and might give lead to other UN members especially GOI. If Tib Govt informed in advance, its stand might be strengthened.
Emb accordingly suggests possible US statement might be worded along fol lines:
“US Govt has been informed Govt Tib June (blank), 1951, announced refusal approve agreement which had previously been reported by Peiping Radio as having been concluded by reps Red Chi and Tib del at Peiping.
“Facts of matter appear be these: In Oct 1950 without warning, forces Red China invaded eastern Tibet; in Nov and again in Dec 1950 [Page 1711] Tib appealed UN; in April 1951 Tib sent del Red China in endeavor reach peaceful solution and effect withdrawal Red Chi forces from Tib; in May ’51 Red Chi announced agreement had been reached between Red China and Tibet; this agreement emasculates Tibetan autonomy by providing for milit occupation all Tibet and for polit domination by Red China; in June ’51 Dalai Lama of Tib, who is head autonomous state Tib, and his govt announced they refused because it had been obtained under duress.
“It is recalled Nor Kor commenced hostilities Korea June ’50 and Red Chi invaded Korea Oct ’50. Red Chi milit invasion Tib and conclusion agreement under duress are further evidence aggressive intentions Red Chi toward its peaceful neighbors.
“US Govt is sympathetic plight govt and people Tib. It hopes Tib will bring all facts attention UN and UN will give early hearing Tib’s case.
“US Govt prepared support hearing Tib case and will continue cooperate with UN in resisting aggression and in assisting in restoration peace throughout world.”
Pls inform urgently.2
Sent Dept 3643, repeated info Calcutta 261.
- Telegram 3768 from Hong Kong, not printed, reported that a delegation from the Central People’s Government to Tibet was scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong on June 20 and to fly from there via Singapore to Calcutta (693.93B/6–1351).↩
- The Department replied in telegram 2183 to New Delhi, June 16, 1951, not printed: “You may inform Tibetans, if and when you consider desirable, that upon disavowal Sino-Tibetan agreement, US official reference to this action, indicating sympathy for Tibetan position, cld be expected. Tenor and timing of any comment wld depend on character Tibetan announcement. It is considered undesirable that US Govt publicly introduce UN question in advance Tibetans’ own action this regard” (793B.00/6–1551).↩