501.BC/1–2748: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin)
29. 1. Re possibility that Afghan representative may ask to participate in discussion of tribal question should that arise in India-Pakistan [Page 290] case, as intimated in letter Afghan representative to President of SC 22 Jan 48 (SC Doc S/6581), Dept would prefer Afghan representative not take part in SC proceedings this stage. If opportunity arises, suggest you endeavor discreetly to discourage Afghan representative from submitting formal request.
2. This position dictated by Dept’s belief that (1) attention of SC in India-Pakistan case be focused on Kashmir question which is only indirectly related to tribal problem proper; (2) question which Afghanistan intends to raise is in essence a problem which would require separate consideration, and (3) Afghanistan hopes to use this occasion to “fish in troubled waters” and agitate, for creation of a separate Pathanistan.
3. However, if request is submitted in SC, suggestion might be made by President or by you that SC hear Afghan representative on question of how its interests are specially affected before determining whether invitation to participate should be extended. If convincing argument is presented showing specially affected interest, you should support Afghan particiption in accordance with general US policy in these matters.
- For text, see SC, 3rd yr., Suppl. for Jan.–March 1948, p. 13.↩