501.BC/4–1048
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the
Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Henderson)
[Washington,] April 10,
1948.
During the course of a conversation I had with the Afghan
Minister1
this afternoon, he handed me the attached document, which he said
was a copy of a document which he had given to the British
Delegation to the Security Council during the course of the
discussions with regard to the future of Kashmir. The Minister said
that he had given this paper to the British Delegation in order that
it would be clearly understood that Afghanistan considers itself to
have a vital interest in the future of the tribal areas.
[Enclosure]
- A.
- Afghanistan is naturally concerned with her internal
peace, tranquillity, security and the economic well-being of
her people.
- B.
- Because of inextricable and inseverable racial,
linguistic, geographical, blood, cultural and economic ties
existing between the Pashtoon people on both sides of the
Durand Line, our internal peace, tranquillity, security and
economic well-being are closely tied with such peaceful
conditions as may prevail amongst these Pashtoons.
- C.
- Whatever factors will affect peace and tranquillity
amongst the independent tribes will inevitably affect the
internal peace, tranquillity and internal security of
Afghanistan.
- D.
- In the discussions which are taking place before the
Security Council concerning the current Kashmir question,
between Pakistan and the Indian Union, the representative of
the latter has claimed that Pashtoon tribesmen have passed
through the Dominion of Pakistan and have invaded Kashmir.
The representative of the Dominion of Pakistan, admitting
this fact, disclaims any responsibility for it, and infers
that Pakistan is unable to prevent these tribesmen from
passing through Pakistan.
- E.
- The representative of the Indian Union, even though he
does not accept Pakistan’s explanation, nevertheless
expresses India’s concern,
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and states that under such
circumstances India is “… quite willing to cooperate with
Pakistan to get rid of these tribes”.
- F.
- If solution of the present situation should develop into
negotiations that might lead to and perhaps reach some kind
of agreement, which might affect the independent tribes
within their tribal areas, Afghanistan cannot afford to
remain out of the picture.
- G.
- Further, Afghanistan realizes that administration of the
affairs of the tribal areas, though not really beneficial
and of permanent usefulness for the cause of peace, and much
remained there to be desired, was carried out by qualified
and experienced British personnel, and the expenses involved
by their methods of control were sustained by the financial
resources of the Indian Empire, none of which is in the
possession of our southern neighbor. Therefore, we are
justified to have our grave doubts and anxieties over any
arrangements in this area, to which we will not be a party,
because our peace, tranquillity, internal security and
economic well-being, more than those of any other nation,
are susceptible and involved.
