501.BC/1–2148: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
77. 1. US Mission has just learned that mediation meeting India and Pakistan broke up this afternoon with no agreement as to future course of action Kashmir problem. Sheik Abdullah reported to have played prominent role in expressing adamant India position along lines Mission telegram No. 76, January 21.
2. Reference paragraph 7 Mission’s No. 76, Noel-Baker (UK) will call on Ambassador Austin 9:30 a. m. January 22, and it is understood he will ask US representative make statement in SC afternoon [Page 287] meeting regarding conditions surrounding Kashmir plebiscite. He is believed have in mind US taking lead immediately after Langenhove (Belgium) reports failure mediation effort on plebiscite issue.
3. In January 22 meeting SC understand first item on agenda will be president’s report on mediation effort, followed by general discussion, but that Zafrullah Khan (Pakistan) letter paragraph 5 US Mission 76 will be second item on agenda. This connection informal conversations with British Delegation today indicate that they favor concentration SC attention now on Kashmir dispute.
4. Department’s views re foregoing should be telephoned early as possible January 22.1
- A marginal notation on the file copy of this telegram indicates that the Department’s views were telephoned to Austin by Rusk on January 22 at 11 a. m. Memorandum of telephone conversation not found in Department of State files.↩