Camp Hale Commemoration

It's been busy since my last post. I've shot a few more interviews, which I'll post excerpts from in October. But the main story this month was the commemoration for the Tibetan freedom fighters and their CIA instructors at Camp Hale, Colorado on September 10. Ken Knaus, one of the instructors and project managers for the Tibetan Task Force, worked with Colorado Senator Mark Udall to install a plaque in memory of the Tibetan's training by the CIA there.

At almost 10,000 feet altitude, Camp Hale was originally used for training by the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division during WWII, then underwent preparations in 1958 for training some 265 Tibetans by the CIA which began in May 1959 and ended in November 1964. Many trainees were killed after returning to fight in Tibet. Perhaps 20 or so are still alive today, 5 of which were able to come to ceremony.

It was a remarkable day--an historic day actually-- the first time the US has ever officially acknowledged the CIA's operation with the Tibetans. Many flew in from all parts of the US and Canada to attend. Unfortunately there wasn't enough notice for those in India and Nepal to make travel arrangements, and many were sadly disappointed about that, including myself. Some who did attend expressed a wish that the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in Dharamsala, India would also commemorate the sacrifices their resistance fighters made. Since this subject is not politically correct for many in the Tibetan hierarchy, we'll see if that ever happens. If so, you know I'll have a camera crew there if I can.

It was a hard task compressing the whole afternoon into this 10 minute video. Some speeches couldn't be included, and I could only take short bits from those I showed. Basically I wanted to get the gist of the day, but if time permits, I'll try to post some more excerpts in the future. There's also a photo album of the event-- click here to view it on the Kefiblog Facebook page.

Below is the main list of attendees at the event.

Colorado Senator Mark Udall and staff: Jennifer Barrett, National Security Advisor/Deputy Legislative Director; Matt Sugar, Regional Director, Central Mountain Region

Camp Hale Translators/Trainees (including their American training names): Pema Wangdue (Pete); Tashi Paljor (Noel); Sonam Wangchuk (Lee); Tashi Chutter (Mark); Chime Namgyal (Conrad)

Camp Hale Instructors: Kenneth Knaus; Ray Starke; Don Cesare; (Roy Clarkston was represented by Command Sargent Major Harold E. Caldwell)

Descendants of Tibetan trainees/fighters: Doma Norbu, daughter of Athar Norbu, translator and instructor at Camp Hale; Karma Namgyal, President of NYC Chushi Gangdruk; Sonam Wangchuk, son of Pema Wangdue (listed above); Sonam Yangzom, daughter of Ratu Ngawang, Commander in the Chushi Gangdruk army

Descendants of CIA officers: Kevin McCarthy, son of Roger McCarthy; PJ Whelan, step-daughter of Roger McCarthy, and her daughter Chelsea; Julie Holober, daughter of Frank Holober; Lisa Cathey, daughter of Clay Cathey (also producer of this blog and the upcoming documentary "CIA in Tibet"); Kelly Witchey, daughter of Roy Clarkston, and her daughter Brianna

Authors/Scholars: Carole McGranahan, Author and Professor, University of Colorado, Boulder; Warren Smith, Radio Free Asia; Jamyang Norbu, independent Author/Blogger (also a member of the Mustang operation in Nepal)

Local Tibetan Americans: Nawang Sherap, Treasurer, Tibetan Association of Colorado, and other members

Forest Service: Dave Neely, District Ranger, Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District, White River National Forest; Buck Sanchez; Bill Kite; Andrea Brogan

International Campaign for Tibet: Todd Stein, Director, Government Relations

CIA Impact on Tibet? Part 4: Doma Norbu

Doma Norbu is the daughter of Athar, one of six in the first team trained by CIA in 1957. Athar, along with his team partner Lhotse, were the two radio agents that caught up to the Dalai Lama's escape party in March 1959, kept the CIA informed of that perilous journey, and helped secure asylum for the Dalai Lama in India. From 1960 to 1962, they both served as instructors at Camp Hale, a secret CIA training base in Colorado. After that, Athar was involved with intelligence gathering within Tibet until the base in Mustang, Nepal was closed in 1974.

I met Doma in June 2008 when she was organizing the 50th anniversary of the Chushi Gangdruk, the CIA-backed Tibetan resistance army. At that time, she was President of the New York Chapter of the current Chushi Gangdruk, an organization that keeps the legacy of their fight for freedom alive through non-violent means.

As one who is dedicated to continuing her father's struggle for Tibetan independence, Doma shares her opinion about the CIA's impact on Tibet in part 4 of this ongoing series.

The Dalai Lama’s Gift

The day before the Dalai Lama reached India's border, he granted an audience with the CIA's two radio operators, Athar and Lhotse. Athar's daughter, Doma Norbu, tells the story of her father receiving a humble gift of thanks from his God-King, something Athar treasured his entire life.

Note: Doma didn't know the exact date of this day, but knew it was very soon before reaching the border. Between this and the information in Kenneth Conboy's book, "The CIA's Secret War in Tibet", March 30, 1959 is probable, but not definite.

Music by Green Goose Music