Commentary on the Opinion Regarding the Handling of the Tibetan Army Reduction Issue
(July 6, 1954)
Comrade Shangkun (2):
This type of issue (3) should be drafted and handled by the United Front Work Department, as it is of a political nature, and it is not appropriate for the Military Commission to handle it.
Mao Zedong
July 6
[1] Kashag, i.e., the local government of Tibet.
[2] Shangkun, i.e., Yang Shangkun, then Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.
[3] In a telegram to the Central Committee and the Military Commission on July 5, 1954, the CPC Tibet Work Committee stated that the Kashag proposed today to disband all existing Tibetan troops and send them back to their hometowns, except for retaining a guard Dapon of 1,500 men. Their attitude is extremely urgent, and they wish to resolve this before the Dalai Lama leaves Tibet. We estimate that the main reason they have put forward this opinion is due to financial difficulties. Our opinion is that to suddenly reduce the Tibetan army at the time of the Dalai Lama's departure from Tibet is truly inopportune. We propose to persuade the Kashag and strive not to reduce the Tibetan army during the Dalai Lama's absence from Tibet, with everything maintaining the status quo. If they raise financial difficulties, then a portion of subsidy will be given in the name of the Central Government, while the Kashag will remain responsible for other issues.