9. What was the Dalai Lama's attitude towards the Agreement on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet at that time?

 

A: The Dalai Lama had already taken over the reins of government at that time and the representatives of the local government of Tibet participating in peace talks were appointed by him. During negotiations, Tibet's representatives maintained contact with the Dalai Lama.

 

In September 1951, the Tibetan representatives at the peace talks returned to Lhasa. The chief representative, Nagpoi Ngawang Jigmei, reported to the representative conference of the local government of Tibet on the peace talks and on the main contents of the agreement. After discussion, all participants praised the work of the representatives at the negotiations, and expressed their support for the 17-Agreement.

 

On October 24, the Dalai Lama sent a telegram to Chairman Mao Zedong, indicating that he completely agreed with the 17-Article Agreement. The telegram read, "The local government of Tibet sent five fully authorized representatives headed by Kaloon Ngapoi to Beijing in late April 1951 to conduct peace talks with the fully authorized representatives of the Central People's Government. On the basis of friendship, representatives of both sides concluded the Agreement on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet on May 23, 1951. The local government of Tibet, ecclesiastics and secular people unanimously support this agreement and, under the leadership of Chairman Mao and the Central People's Government, will actively support the People's Liberation Army in Tibet in consolidating national defense, driving out imperialist forces from Tibet and safeguarding the unification of the territory and the sovereignty of the motherland. I hereby cable you to inform you of this."

 

In his report on the meeting the establishment of the preparatory Committee for Tibet Autonomous Region in 1956, the Dala Lama said, "In 1951, I sent representatives to Beijing to conduct negotiations with the representatives of the Central People's Government. The Agreement of the Central People's Government and the Local Government of Tibet on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet was signed on the basis of unity and fraternity. Since then, the Tibetan people have permanently rid themselves of imperialist enslavement and shackles and returned to the big family of the country's other fraternal ethnic groups, enjoy all rights based on equality among all ethnic groups and have begun to embark on the bright road to freedom and happiness. On the general course of building their socialist motherland, they are building their own prosperous and happy life."