793B.00/5–2951: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in India
2051. Re Embtel 3398 May 29 Dept reserves final judgment in absence conclusive info re alleged Tibetan-Chi agreement, re position Lhassan delegation Peiping, re attitude Tibetan Govt Yatung and re situation Lhasa. Questions wld undoubtedly be more difficult of solution if situation has developed as far as indicated in Kathmandu press report, than if infiltration has been prevented and resistance can still be undertaken at borders Outer Tibet.
Note NCNA version of “Agreement” attributes full powers to signatory Lhassan delegation. Pls ascertain priority whether Tibetan reps consider that negots Peiping actually broke down and whether “agreement” reported by NCNA was obtained through threat personal violence against persons Lhassan delegation or was perhaps arbitrary unilateral announcement by Peiping regime. Report priority results ur further check with GOI re polit and mil situation Lhasa, but check also further their reports re situation Peiping and their reaction Pravda charge May 30 that Britain “unlawfully” took Bhutan and Sikkim from Tibet 1890. Is there chance GOI wld now take initiative and support Tibet case in UN?
Dept believes Tibet shld not be compelled by duress accept violation its autonomy and that Tibetan people shld enjoy certain rights self-determination, commensurate with autonomy Tibet has maintained since Chi revolution. Dept believes further that cause world peace wld be served if gen support cld be mustered for this point of view, and agrees with Emb that US itself shld demonstrate its interest in case in every practical polit and econ way. Assuming Peiping terms inacceptable established Tibetan Govt and combined polit and mil pressure may be exerted on Tibet, Dept accepts Emb suggestions contained [Page 1694] reftel, subj gen proviso US is not assuming responsibility guidance Tibetan Govt, with fol qualifications (using Embtel numbering):
- 1)
- US believes that when complaint is made to UN, there shld be opportunity have it heard and considered in proper UN forum. US has not however been chief moving party in every case, and degree US initiative necessarily has taken into account attitude other UN members and their special relation to issue raised. In this case GOI interests particularly involved. While US willing support consideration new Tibetan appeal, US believes attitude other UN members important factor in situation. Tibet might wish consider setting forth in new msg to UN SYG circumstances negots Peiping and nature Commie threat re Tibet. US believes new Tibetan appeal to UN, followed promptly by Tibetan efforts interest other leading States such as UK, India, Pakistan, France, USSR in support wld probably be more fruitful approach than first sending del to UN (this especially in view importance time element). If Tibet cld mobilize some influential world opinion in support its case, this might create polit environment favoring UN consideration. US wld agree issue visas to Tibetan Del to UN. Whether and when Tibetan Del might undertake travel UN is for them determine.
- 2)
- Agree in toto.
- 3)
- US unable commit itself to providing for expenses Dalai Lama and retinue. Note precedents such as Tsarist refugees and, more recently, Chi Vice President Li Tsung-jen, all of whom unsupported by US. Note Tibetan Govt by all reports possesses much treasure including gold and silver. We assume those assets ample for purpose and Dalai Lama himself wld arrange to evac from Tibet such treasure as required for support his Govt in exile. Omit in ur reply any suggestion US willing consider what financial assistance cld be given or that US wld “do utmost help Tibetans solve financial problems”, but suggest Dalai Lama wld probably best be able serve cause Tibetan freedom if he remained nearby as in India or Ceylon.
- 4)
- US prepared provide limited assistance in terms light arms depending upon polit and developments in Tibet proper, and depending also on whether GOI attitude wld make such supply feasible. US Govt feels aid cld effectively be given only while there may be within Tibet polit and mil forces willing and able resist, that complete collapse within Tibet and offering of polit campaign from outside wld render undertaking probably fruitless. Strong stand by Tibetan Govt against any clear aggression wld encourage world support for its position, whereas surrender in Outer Tibet wld almost certainly be followed by collapse interest elsewhere. US unwilling commit itself to support any such undertaking from outside, but if resistance is [Page 1695] maintained in Tibet from beginning wld contribute insofar as attitude GOI makes it possible. Have Tibetans recently approached GOI re providing arms or permitting shipment through India and if so with what results?
- 5)
- US willing have informal contact at Darjeeling and Kalimpong when useful. Such contact wld of course have no representative character in absence US official relations with Tibet.
- 6)
- Visitors visas cld probably be arranged for Takster and servant proceed US if unable remain India or Ceylon (either of which wld be preferable politically), FYI it being assumed he wld of course himself bear all expenses.
Dept agrees it important at this stage particularly that US respond in cooperative manner Shakabpa’s questions. Pls evince that sympathetic attitude, indicating US Govt prepared do everything feasible assist Tibet maintain autonomy, but note high importance which position GOI bears re developments.
Tibetans themselves will appreciate high desirability, in view historical and actual polit relations, that if possible Tibet enlist support GOI. US under no illusions that current attitude GOI is more sympathetic to Tibet cause than shown by actions to date. Dept does not propose Tibetans approach GOI or accept GOI opinion against better judgment. US itself wld be guided by own judgment re situation and possibilities, is sympathetic to Tibetan cause as indicated above but wld merely note ineluctable fact India by reasons of traditional relationships and geographic position plays very important role. Tibetans shld be under no illusions likewise that mil assistance can be obtained for them through UN action. Tibetans must necessarily be guided by consideration all factors and by their interests as autonomous people.
FYI although considering resistance wld bear promise of fruits only if Tibetan polit organization can be caused make stand in Outer Tibet, believe it important Dalai Lama not let himself come under control Peiping. US is sympathetic to Tibetan position and will assist insofar as practicable but can help only if Tibetans themselves make real effort and take firm stand.
Pls report all pertinent developments urgently.