FUTURE OF TIBET

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 262, 23 August 1950, Page 5

FUTURE OF TIBET

CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ACCORD WITH PEIPING , i <N.Z.P. A.—Copyright) LONDON, August 22. • Representatives of Communist China and Tibet will shortly meet in New Delhi to settle the “delicate question of China’s suzerainty over Tibet,” says Reuter’s correspondent at Kalimpong, West Bengal, quoting Mr Tsepon Shakabpa, leader of the Tibetan official mission to Communist China. The Tibetan delegation came to Kalinjong- after repeated unsuccessful attempts to secure British visas for Hong Kong in order to make contact with the ’ Chinese Communist authorities “somewhere on the border.” Mr Shakabpa said the delegation would go to New Delhi for talks with the Chinese Communist Ambassador, who is expected to arrive there shortly. The Tibetan representatives contradicted reports of a possible invasion of Tibet by Chinese Communist forces, “in view of the fact that Tibet is most anxious to conclude an agreement with the Peiping Government.” Mr Shakabpa said Tibet wanted continuance of its, present status of “‘de facto independence,” and agreement depended on'China’s acceptance of this principle. Te expected Tibet’s rela J tions with India to become “much better” after an agreement with- China.; Tibet, wedged between China and- India, would maintain the best of relations with both. ' ■ Tibetans wanted no interference from the United States or Britain, he said. Denying a recent Peiping broadcast which accused Britain and America of influencing' Tibet, he said there was no control of these Powers 'in Tibet.