Telegram to the Southwest Bureau Concerning Several Questions Regarding the Advance on Qamdo (August 18, 1950)  To the Southwest Bureau:  We have received all your telegrams concerning the advance on Qamdo. It would, of course, be most desirable to reach Qamdo this year. However, the following questions remain:  (1) Can the long stretch of road from Garzê to Qamdo be constructed and opened to traffic in time to keep pace with the advancing troops?  (2) Is it feasible to build an airfield at Qamdo, and would the area be suitable for airdrops?  (3) Will one division be sufficient to capture Qamdo? The Tibetan forces appear to possess considerable fighting strength, and we must be prepared to engage in several hard-fought battles. Do you consider that you have made an adequate assessment of this aspect?  We ourselves are still unclear about these points. We would appreciate it if you could analyze them and report back by telegram.  Mao Zedong  August 18  Printed from the manuscript.