370. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Republic of China0
654. Department has noted continuing GRC concern re Tibetan situation as evidenced by following reported statements and actions past few days:
- a.
- Four-point resolution adopted by Legislative Yuan March 31 calling on GRC inter alia to seek UN consideration of question;
- b.
- T.F. Tsiang allusion in press conference March 27 to possibility UN consideration of problem;
- c.
- CBS stringer Taipei report GRC considering make appeal UN High Commissioner for Refugees for help to Tibetan refugees;
- d.
- President Chiang statement to youth rally March 29 calling for accelerated aid to mainland revolutionary movement, especially to Tibetan rebels;
- e.
- Control Yuan April 1 six-point resolution.
Embassy requested submit appraisal these statements and actions and in general to report what it believes GRC’s thinking and intentions to be re Tibetan situation. Department particularly interested to know whether GRC seriously contemplating move in UN.
While recognizing pressures on GRC to proclaim intention support Tibetan resistance and help refugees, we strongly believe it in best interests both Tibetans and GRC itself to play matter in lowest key possible at this time. Matters now moving favorably, with Indian public opinion forcing Nehru and GOI into more forthright position in support of Tibetan resistance. Reaction elsewhere among less committed countries in free Asia also taking encouragingly anti-Chinese Communist line. It not desirable this favorable trend be impaired by over-eager GRC exploitation efforts, which would tend blur spontaneous nature Tibetan uprising and lend credibility to Peiping’s charges of GRC instigation. Most useful contribution GRC could make would be to reiterate and spell out President Chiang’s promise of self-determination for Tibetans.
Re possibility UN consideration Tibetan situation, although we would not wish exclude this, we believe it would require careful consideration. For example, various problems involved, including question degree friendly support likely be obtainable and certain technical [Page 755] considerations such as Tibet’s status and relation Chinese Communists to any UN consideration of issue would need explanation. It would also be desirable await developments, especially as to position taken by Dalai and his government following emergence from Tibet, subsequent GOI attitude, and more concrete information on events in Tibet.
In discussing situation with GRC officials you should seek as feasible to convey Department’s thinking points contained in previous two paragraphs at appropriate level.1
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 793B.00/4–259. Secret. Drafted by United Nations Adviser for Far Eastern Affairs Ruth E. Bacon and Lutkins, cleared by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Parker T. Hart and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Walter N. Walmsley, and approved by Robertson. Repeated to New Delhi and USUN.↩
- Drumright conveyed the Department’s views to Foreign Minister Huang, who told him on April 10 that he had relayed them to the President and Premier. The April 10 conversation was reported in telegram 1091 from Taipei, April 10. (Ibid., 793B.00/4–1059; see Supplement)↩