Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Africa and South Asia, Volume XI, Part 2

110.11 DU/6–1153: Telegram

The Ambassador in Afghanistan (Ward) to the Department of State

confidential

Kabul, June 11, 1953—noon.

700. Foreign Minister states Washington Chargé¹ indicates US Government “unkind” to Afghanistan in that no mention this country made any public statement Secretary State Dulles re recent trip,² notwithstanding Iran mentioned which too not visited.

He inquired whether I have received message for him, alleging Secretary State informed Najibullah (Damascus telegram 1 May 15, repeated Department 698)³ that after discussions Karachi statement would be sent me for delivery GOA.

I again suggested sending Ambassador to Karachi, which evoked another impassioned harangue on Pushtoonistan and intransigency Pakistan, but which ended encouragingly for first time my experience in Foreign Minister statement “perhaps it can be done, we shall see”. Toward end our conversation I spoke metaphorically as Afghanistan Ambassador Karachi being drop of water which may wear down the stone of Pakistan obduracy toward Pushtoon discussions, whereupon Foreign Minister stated “we want Americans with pneumatic drill”.

It may be Foreign Minister hopeful we would pressure GOP into Pushtoon discussions as quid pro quo for Pakistan wheat loan, but I doubt his being so naive. More likely he apprehensive some settlement Kashmir dispute possible, with lessened likelihood Pushtoon discussions.

Ward

1. Mohammad Hashim Khan Maiwandwal.
2. On May 9, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles and Director for Mutual Security Harold E. Stassen embarked on a 20-day trip to the Near East and South Asia. They visited India and Pakistan in South Asia but did not visit Afghanistan. Najibullah Khan, the Afghan Ambassador to India, discussed the Pushtunistan question with the Secretary and Assistant Secretary Byroade in New Delhi on May 19. No memoranda of these discussions have been found in Department of State files.
3. In telegram 1 from Damascus to Kabul, Ambassador Ward was informed that the Secretary and Byroade would repeat the U.S. position on Pushtunistan to Najibullah in New Delhi. (110.11 DU/5–1553)