745.45F/2–748: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in India
101. Your proposal that plebiscite to determine future status Kashmir be preceded by parliamentary election (urtel 117 Feb 7) virtually identical with scheme put forward by GOI delegation SC Jan 27 with exception UN observation contemplated therein only for plebiscite itself and not for parliamentary elections. Indian scheme provided that parliamentary elections would take place under interim government headed by Sheikh Abdullah.
US position throughout SC debate has been that to bring about termination of fighting by pacific means there must be assurance to all parties concerned that question of Kashmir accession will be determined at earliest possible date by fair and free plebiscite supervised by UN under impartial administrative arrangements. This stand has been taken without prejudice to claims of either GOI or GOP and without intent discriminate between the parties. It does not exclude SC making recommendations that GOP take action re tribal invaders and material assistance in order expedite termination of fighting. US position fully in line with Nehru’s stated desire have will of people determined by honest plebiscite and is based on assumption that to achieve this end GOI and Kashmir Govt would cooperate with SC, majority of whose members are not convinced that Indian plan in present form will bring about peaceful settlement. Indian insistence on maintaining Sheikh Abdullah in power in critical interim period and on limiting supervisory powers UN in plebiscite has created doubts [Page 300] re GOI good faith, and these doubts strengthened by sudden departure Indian delegation for New Delhi to consult re Kashmir question with GOI.
US thinking re nature administrative arrangements to insure impartiality plebiscite and maintenance law and order in interim period not yet fully developed. We believe that delaying plebiscite by holding parliamentary elections first would unnecessarily complicate peaceful solution and furthermore that UN role in plebiscite must be more comprehensive than merely observing and reporting, particularly in view internal conditions Kashmir and apparent necessity SC guarantee fair plebiscite as prelude withdrawal invaders and cessation hostilities.
Kashmir interim administration could be given impartial flavor either by establishment of a “service government” composed of technically qualified administrators, or of a coalition government composed of representatives main political parties. View Abdullah’s fierce partisan attitude as displayed in SC debate, he would not appear the suitable head for “service government”. He might, however, fit into picture of a coalition government.
With return GOI delegation Delhi any change Indian position will obviously crystallize there, Dept would appreciate full information any developments this regard.
Sent Delhi, repeated to USUN New York 67.