501.BC Kashmir/2–2048: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin)
79. Having examined British suggested plan covering Kashmir question (UNMIS 5 Feb. 131), and having discussed it at length with members UK–UN delegation in Washington Feb 16, the Dept offers following preliminary comments:
- 1.
- We believe it highly doubtful that GOI will acquiesce in or assist in implementation of Brit plan in present form contemplating as it does virtual UN trusteeship of Kashmir for indefinite period.
- 2.
- By providing no alternative to acceptance by India of Pakistan troops in Kashmir and by setting up UN interim government which would completely supersede present regime Kashmir, British exclude any possibility compromise solution in which both parties would cooperate.
- 3.
- Aside from GOI attitude we question advisability UN at present stage attempting assume such broad responsibilities for interim civil and military administration Kashmir as envisaged British draft as well as task of establishing “popular” government after plebiscite and transferring power thereto.
- 4.
- From attitude various representatives during SC debate as well as their informal comments to USUN it appears questionable that British scheme would receive necessary minimum of seven votes in SC; nor should possibility Soviet veto be overlooked.
- 5.
- We further believe that section on “procedure for stopping the fighting” should be given more prominent place than is accorded it in British plan; also that accent given therein to communal aspects should be eliminated. This connection Hadow (UK) has informed us that 26% Kashmir population including considerable non-Moslems probably support Abdullah. It would also be essential include under this heading provision for GOP to withhold material assistance tribal elements and Kashmir insurgents as part general procedure for termination hostilities.
- 6.
- Despite grave doubts re above fundamental features British plan we believe that many provisions are acceptable and could be kept intact in revised draft.
Dept will continue study British draft as well as resolutions and suggestions made by other representatives during SC debate with view preparation rather detailed proposals Kashmir settlement to be used by USUN as basis for informal discussion with other SC delegations during present interlude. Dept hopes that these proposals might emerge in an amended form after discussion with other interested delegations as draft resolution which could be put forward by president SC with majority support when consideration Kashmir question resumed.
We are particularly anxious avoid presentation competitive formal proposals by British and ourselves and hope that recommendations may be devised which both we and British can support. We must take care not to be responsible for adoption recommendations which British from wealth of their experience might consider unworkable and to which they would not give their full support.
Pending completion Dept study which may require several days you may be guided in your informal talks by following tentative principles on which your comment would be appreciated:
[The principles that comprise the remainder of this telegram are here omitted because they appear in somewhat altered form in telegram 124, February 25, to New Delhi, page 304.]
- Not printed.↩