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." |
