TIBET

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82R00025R000100060024-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 31, 2005
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: April 28, 1959
• Content Type: NOTES

Approved For Release 2005/04/19 CIA-ROP82R00025R000100060024-3
NOTES FOR DCI BRIEFING OF
SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS
COMMITTEE ON 28 APRIL 1959
27 April 1959
I. "Tibet" includes Tibet proper plus its eastern area known as
Chamdo, formerly included in Chinese province of Sikang.
A. Total area about equal to twice that of Texas.
B. Population Tibet about 1,300,000. About same number Tibetans
live neighboring areas China, Nepal, Bhutan, India.
II. Long history of conflict between Tibetans and Chinese.
A. Chinese suzerainty forcibly imposed by Manchus 1720.
Suzerainty claimed by subsequent Chinese governments.
C. About 250,000 Khamba tribesmen in Chamdo notorious for
resistance to Chinese authority.
III. Dalai Lama political and religious ruler of Tibet. Panchen Lamas,
of lesser spiritual authority, have resided at Shigatse, in a
monastery where there are some 12,500 monks.
A. Present Dalai is fourteenth in succession.
1. Born 1935 in Chinese province of Tsinghai of Tibetan parents.
2. Brought to Lhasa 1939.
B. Present Panchen Lama is ninth.
1. Born 1937, also in Tsinghai province of Tibetan parents.
(Not related to Dalai Lama)
2. Remained in Tsinghai until brought to Tibet by Chinese
Communists 1952.
IV. Chinese troops entered eastern Tibet autumn 1950; token Tibetan
force capitulated.
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A. Tibetan envoys concluded agreement with Chinese Communists at
Peiping May 1951.
1. Chinese given right maintain troops in Tibet, conduct
Tibet's foreign affairs.
2. Peiping promised retain Tibetan government, preserve
political and religious status Dalai and Panchen Lamas.
3. Tibet referred to as "Tibet Region of China."
V. Tibetan resistance continued, especially after Communist collectivi-
zation drive began affect Tibetans in Chinese territory late 1955.
VI. US policy toward Tibet
A. US has not come out with flat assertion that China has sovereignty
over Tibet, but; has not questioned the Chinese Nationalist positic"
1. Chinese Nationalists insist Tibet is an integral part of China,;
2. After the start of recent revolt, President Chiang Kai-shek
stated equivocably that following the Nationalists' return to
the mainland, "we will assist the Tibetan people to realize
their own aspirations in accordance with the principles of
self-determination."
B. US during recent revolt maintainingstye #e~tc silence on status
of Tibet.
VII. Himalayan Border States
A. Nepal: Population is an estimated 8,500,000. Area: 54,000
square miles. An independent kingdom. The recent national elec-
tions--the first in the nation's history--resulted in the moderate-
socialist and neutralist Nepali Congress Party winning over two-
thirds d the seats,
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B. Bhutan: Area: 18,000 square miles; population estimated to be
600,000. Bhutan's foreign relations and defense are a
responsibility of India while the country enjoys autonomy in
internal affairs.
C. Sikkim: Area: 2,800 square miles. Population estimated at
145,000. A protectorate of India which enjoys some internal
autonomy.
Approved For Release 2005/04/19 : CIA-RDP82R00025R000100060024-3