386. Memorandum of Conversation0
SUBJECT
- Appeal of the Dalai Lama to the United Nations
PARTICIPANTS
- Under Secretary for Political Affairs
- The Viscount Hood, C.M.G., Minister, British Embassy
After our meeting today with the French Chargé d’Affaires, I asked Lord Hood to remain and brought up with him the question of Tibet. I explained in general terms the situation as we see it regarding the appeal made by the Dalai Lama to the United Nations. I said we were awaiting further news from Delhi but that, if it remained clear that he intended to pursue his appeal, we would want to give him support. We agreed that Asiatic support, especially of Buddhist countries, would be a requisite. I stressed that the attitude of the United States during these past months provides adequate evidence of the American desire to remain as much as possible in the background, permitting Asian countries to take the lead. However, we did not wish to appear remiss or lukewarm because of the human issues involved. If the Dalai Lama asked our assistance in his travels, we would wish to be helpful and, if he comes to New York, we would feel obliged to give support there. We did not wish to cause unnecessary difficulties or embarrassment to Mr. Nehru.
Lord Hood said that he agreed with all of this. The principal British preoccupation, as explained by Mr. Lloyd to Secretary Herter,1 related to Mr. Nehru’s situation. London did not wish to add to Nehru’s difficulties. The British appreciated, he said, our tactful handling of this matter. He would take note of my remarks and inform London.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 793B.00/9–559. Secret. Drafted by Murphy.↩
- In a conversation in London on September 1. The discussion relating to Tibet was reported in Secto 37 from London, September 1. (Ibid., 793B.00/9–159; see Supplement) A memorandum of the entire conversation is in Department of State, Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199.↩