Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Korea and China, Volume VII, Part 2

793B.00/6–2551: Telegram

The Consul General at Calcutta (Wilson) to the Secretary of State

top secret   priority

Calcutta, June 25, 1951—9 a. m.

536. Embtel 3687, June 19.¹ Thacher returned Kalimpong today after brief consultation here. His notes of his conversations with Tibetans being pouched.² Important features are:

(1) In conversation June 15 with Shakabpa Thacher stressed importance issuance by Dalai Lama of statement disavowing Sino-Tibetan agreement prior to arrival in Calcutta of Chinese and Tibetan delegates. Shakabpa most eager for info re arrival date. Shakabpa also stressed great need of Tibet for financial assistance from US Govt.

(2) On June 19 Thacher conveyed to Shakabpa substance Deptel 2183, June 16³ to effect US prepared issue statement following issuance of Dalai Lama’s statement and also prepared support Tibetan appeal to UN upon Tibet’s taking initiative re UN. Shakabpa agreed inform Yatung at once and seemed understand matter fully. Shakabpa also said most high Tibetan officials summoned to Yatung from Lhasa and elsewhere, evidently for important conference. He reverted to question of financial aid. Thacher reiterated he cld add nothing to what Wilkins had said on subject.

(3) In same conversation Shakabpa expressed surprise when Thacher suggested GOI might be under impression Tibetan Govt had no objection to terms of agreement as announced by Peiping. When Shakabpa commented GOI with reps at Yatung and Lhasa should know better, Thacher pointed out absence of any public disavowal by Tibetan Govt might be contributing factor in Indian attitude.

(4) In this and two subsequent conversations Shakabpa anxiously asked for news from Hong Kong. Up to afternoon twenty-third he had had no further word from Yatung.

(5) Thacher had conversation with Taktse Rimpoche at which Dr. Carsun Chang acted as interpreter as Taktse speaks Chinese.

Taktse arrived here yesterday and we are sending separate telegram⁴ re conversation we had with him last evening.…

Sent New Delhi 411, rptd Dept 536.

Wilson

1. Telegram 3687 from New Delhi, not printed, reported that Nicholas G. Thacher, Vice Consul at Calcutta, had gone to Kalimpong on June 15, ostensibly on leave, to maintain an informal liaison with Shakabpa and Tering (793B.00/6–1951).
2. Under cover of despatch 615 from Calcutta, June 25, 1951, not printed.
3. See footnote 2 to telegram 3643, p. 1711.
4. Telegram 539 from Calcutta, June 25, 1951, not printed, reported a conversation between officers of the Consulate General and Taktser, who had told them that Shakabpa was authorized by the Dalai Lama to discuss with U.S. representatives matters related to the Dalai Lama’s intended departure from Tibet and trip to the United States (793B.00/6–2551).