501.BC/1–1648: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
62. From Thurston. At his urgent request I called on Noel-Baker (UK) tonight who is obviously deeply concerned outcome present SC consideration Kashmir case and related issues. He informed me Canada would not serve proposed subcommittee which he had hoped could be established frame concrete proposals, and that he and President SC (Langenhove) (Belgium)1 had come conclusion that US alone should be designated by Langenhove as rapporteur with function bringing Indian and Pakistani representatives together and submitting findings to SC. When asked by [if] some other third country such as Argentina could not take place Canada, he replied that subcommittee thus composed would be too weak, whereas US advice would be taken very seriously by parties.
After I enumerated various reasons why US not disposed assume proposed role, Noel-Baker appeared willing reconsider either establishment three member subcommittee without Canada or perhaps use President SC in rapporteur capacity. He expressed hope, however, US would informally participate in conciliation task.
Other important points conversation include:
- 1.
- UK hopes US representative will make statement in general debate which will probably begin January 19 or 20. Department may wish telephone any suggestions this regard earliest opportunity.
- 2.
- Belgian draft resolution regarding UN commission proceeding to area (transmitted mytel 60, January 162) is British-inspired and is based on British view that such commission would play subordinate and symbolic role while real work of formulating settlement continues in New York.
- 3.
- British have now concluded independently that best method selecting such UN commission is that followed in Indonesian case with proviso that membership open all UN countries.
- 4.
- British will cite League of Nations administration Saar territory as precedent for neutral administration Kashmir preceding and during plebiscite and will fight any Indian proposal having as its objective placing Sheikh Abdullah in position of power before plebiscite.
- 5.
- British continue view general situation India and Pakistan in gravest terms and believe it calls for immediate and positive UN action.