Facts on Record: The Second Fact-Finding Delegation to Tibet, 1980

Recently, a friend sent me a video (attached here) in which a person was giving a commentary about the delegation and its visit to Tibet. As I listened to it, I felt that the commentary had either been prepared in great haste or that the commentator had not had the opportunity to research and understand the subject fully. I noticed a number of factual errors and felt that it was important, as someone who was actually a member of the delegation, to put some of the facts on record.

According to the commentator, we allegedly said to Ngapo ‘Ape’ Ngawang Jigme, “You sold Tibet in Chamdo; why didn’t you fight against the Chinese? etc.” I have no recollection whatsoever of such a statement being made by any of us.

What I do remember clearly is that we spoke openly and frankly with Tibetans, even in the presence of Chinese officers and local Tibetan and Chinese officials. We did not hesitate to speak about what we had seen and learned on the ground. Our conversations were straightforward, open, and confident. We were there to see the situation for ourselves.

Read more