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

793B.00/7–1951: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in India ¹

top secret   priority

Washington, July 19, 1951—8 p. m.

168. Ref Contel 61 19th rptd ND 63.² Emb London indicates likely further delay UK action urging GOI invite DL visit India.³ View critical DL position Dept proposes following action provided Emb and ConGen concur:

1. Emb inform high level GOI official urgently that US has info considered reliable that Chi Commies subjected Tibetan delegation to duress in negotiating agreement and indications DL may not have entire freedom of action in making decision accept or reject it;

2. We believe DL shld be assured untrammeled opportunity make such decision;

3. Believe DL may wish visit India but uncertain GOI willingness receive him;

4. US suggests GOI extend through Dayal or other channel invitation DL soonest visit India basing invitation on fact DL so near India in Yatung and appropriate make side trip prior returning relatively inaccessible Lhasa;

5. Emb shld advise UKHC of action prior to call on GOI and request cooperation; however, Emb shld not delay GOI approach in absence UKHC agreement cooperate.

Dept believes unrealistic and illusory Dayal opinion reported Caltel 61 that DL can decide further course after return Lhasa.

Acheson

1. Also sent to Calcutta as number 39; repeated to London for information as number 461.
2. Telegram 61 from Calcutta, not printed, reported that Daval had told Gibson that Shakabpa had contacted him informally two days earlier but that Dayal had no authority from the Indian Government to facilitate the Dalai Lama’s coming to India; he also said that no Tibetan representatives had ever formally approached him or the Indian Government concerning this matter or concerning Indian support for Tibet (793B.00/7–1951).
3. Telegram 355 from London, July 18, 1951, not printed, stated that the preliminary working level thinking in the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Relations Office was that the Dalai Lama’s representative should make the first move (793B.00/7–1851).