Reports in Monday's press appear to confirm that serious disturbances have been going on in Lhasa since last Thursday. Information is meagre and in large part unreliable. The Indian Consul-General in Lhasa, however, has apparently reported that street fighting in Lhasa broke out when the rumour spread that the Tibetan spiritual and temporal ruler, the Dalai Lama, was about to be arrested by the Chinese Communist representative and would be removed from Lhasa to Peking. Whether or not this rumour was well founded, crowds of people assembled near the Dalai Lama's residence and small arms fire broke out. Subsequent reports indicate that the situation in Lhasa is now quieter but there is no word as to the whereabouts or well-being of the Dalai Lama. It seems quite possible that renewed violence could occur.

Tibet, with a population of about 4,000,000, is one of the most isolated regions of the world. Normal means of communication are almost completely lacking, and India is the only non-Communist country with any representation in Tibet. The Tibetans are deeply religious Buddhists who revere the Dalai Lama. Consequently the Chinese Communists have been attempting to control the population through the Dalai Lama. The latter, however, has given evidence of resistance to Communist indoctrination.

There has been a history of intermittent strife and guerilla warfare in Tibet ever since the Chinese Communist invasion in 1950. Throughout the past year in particular there have been repeated reports of a guerilla campaign led by Khamba tribesmen of Southern and Southeastern Tibet. Some press reports have indicated that large portions of Tibet were controlled by the Tibetan guerillas who ranged to within 40 miles of Lhasa. Private Indian comment prior to the new outbreak suggested that the reports were exaggerated.

We are not aware of any position having been taken by Canada in recent years on the question of Tibet's relationship with China. Historically the status of Tibet in international law has been uncertain and ill-defined. At times Tibet has given evidence of a considerable degree of independence. In recent times, however, there seems to have been a wide measure of agreement to the effect that Tibet was vaguely under nominal Chinese suzerainty. After the Communist invasion of 1950 the Chinese sought to establish physical control of the country, and a general agreement signed in 1951 by representatives of Tibet and the Peking régime gave control of Tibet's foreign relations to Communist China, while permitting the stationing of Communist Chinese troops at various points within Tibet. Control over Tibet's internal affairs, however, was left to the Tibetan Government.

Despite the promise of internal autonomy, the Chinese Government apparently began preparations to exert full sovereignty over Tibet. In face of considerable Tibetan resistance, together with a certain amount of Indian diplomatic pressure, these plans were, in part at least, suspended. The events of the past week may indicate a renewed Communist effort to impose a firmer internal control.

India, for political and strategic reasons, has an obvious special interest in neighbouring Tibet. It seems clear that India acknowledges the right of Communist China to control the foreign affairs of Tibet. This is demonstrated by the signing of a Sino-Indian agreement in 1954 which confirmed India's commercial rights in Tibet. It is also indicated by the remarks of Prime Minister Nehru in the Indian Parliament on August 20, 1958 in which he said (as reported by the Times of India) "I submit that Tibet, long long before the Communist régime there, was always looked upon and considered by the world community as being under the suzerainty of China ... It is completely true that there had been periods in Tibetan history that, when Tibet was strong, she (Tibet) did not acknowledge that position. But I am talking about our position in the matter. We took up a certain position and messages have been exchanged and published. We could not possibly interfere, neither in law nor in fact." This cautious attitude was repeated by Mr. Nehru in the Indian Parliament on March 23, 1959 when, in commenting on the Tibetan disturbances, he contented himself with expressing hope for the safety of the Dalai Lama and for the peaceful resolution of the present troubles. The United Kingdom Government has also in the past recognized Chinese suzerainty over Tibet.

I attach for your consideration a possible statement? which you might wish to make in case the matter is referred to in the House.

N.A. R[OBERTSON]