Office of the Historian

92. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Afghanistan0

Washington, January 12, 1962, 10:56 p.m.

256. Eyes Only Ambassador. President, who considered transit trade impasse January 11, desires USG should continue maximum efforts to assist resolution this dispute. He is agreeable using some funds meet commitment in US draft note to Afghans re utilization Iranian route. However in view fact Afghans have capability of permitting entry aid goods via cheaper traditional route, President is opposed to use of Iranian route at added costs over extended period.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 689.9OD/1-1262. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Talbot and Weil; cleared by Hewitt, Gaud, and McGeorge Bundy; and approved by Rusk. Repeated to Karachi and Tehran.↩