793B.00/7–1651: Telegram

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

top secret   priority

47. In telegram from Kalimpong dated fifteenth Linn and Gibson report latter has handed message (Deptel 91, July 12 to New Delhi and Contel 43 July 14) to Shakabpa and Tering who are planning return to Yatung seventeenth because of instructions from Dalai Lama and because of their property in Tibet. Shakabpa believes Dalai Lama’s plans for returning Lhasa are firm. Shakabpa has reluctantly agreed ask Dayal if GOI will receive Dalai Lama in India although in absence of authorization from Dalai Lama to approach Dayal in this connection, contact will be informal and Shakabpa believes on basis past experience will be fruitless. At Shakabpa’s request Gibson will wait in Kalimpong for Shakabpa’s report of conversation with Dayal. If GOI will receive Dalai Lama, it must so inform Dalai Lama before Shakabpa arrives in Yatung or Shakabpa will advise Dalai Lama no prospect favorable results this connection.

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Comment: Foregoing tel evidently crossed one from us instructing Linn and Gibson urge Shakabpa remain in Kalimpong (Deptel 108, July 13 to New Delhi).1 If as now appears Shakabpa is determined depart, contact can presumably be maintained .… Important thing at this stage as far as Shakabpa is concerned seems to us to be his approach to Dayal which he is evidently planning make en route Yatung.

Sent Dept 47; rptd info New Delhi 50.

Wilson
  1. Telegram 108 to New Delhi suggested that an attempt be made to persuade Shakabpa to remain in Kalimpong until the arrival of Taktser’s letter (793B.00/7–1351).