Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 1

501.BC/4–1748: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in India

secret

Washington, April 17, 1948—3 p. m.

236. Full text SC resolution Kashmir being transmitted separately OIE wire. This resolution sponsored by UK US China Colombia Belgium Canada and to be introduced SC April 17.¹

Emb will note this resolution retains all of major points contained Mar 30 draft as summarized Deptel 211 (132 to Karachi). It differs principally in that present preamble places emphasis on good offices role of SC Commission in bringing about cooperation parties for termination fighting and holding fair plebiscite while at same time expressing SC view as to measures which in its opinion are most likely to lead to these objectives. In view enhanced role Commission, provision also made for enlarging it to five members.

March 30 draft on other hand was straightforward recommendation to parties of articles of settlement.

Considering resolution in entirety following points are emphasized:

1. Resolution is a new one and while drawing in part on Chinese resolution Mar 18 is not to be considered mere revision that resolution. It is joint product work six SC delegations.

2. Resolution does not endeavor judge merits respective complaints.

3. Resolution is responsive Indian complaint in provisions designed stop fighting and in calling upon Pakistan cooperate that end, and to Pakistan complaint in its provision that future status Kashmir be decided by people of state through plebiscite and in safeguards provided ensure impartiality plebiscite.

4. Resolution framed in terms suggested procedures of settlement and so depends entirely for success on cooperation parties with each other and with commission and plebiscite administrator. In particular, disposition of troops, police and state forces and constitution and operation coalition government will require utmost cooperation and good will.

5. Phrase “to share equitably and fully” in para 6 of resolution does not have any specific numerical significance and negotiation this point will presumably be among first problems facing commission upon arrival in area.

Dept informed Attlee has communicated direct with Nehru and Jinnah stressing gravity situation and desirability full and dispassionate consideration resolution; also that no immediate action required other than cooperation with SC Commission. In view strong terms Attlee’s message and peculiar position British vis-à-vis two dominions British desire any approach we make those govts not appear to be concerted. We agree fully with British this point but as one of co-sponsors resolution naturally desire encourage acceptance by GOI and GOP of proposals embodied therein. Dept leaves to your discretion and subject your appraisal local situation nature and timing your efforts this regard.

Sent Delhi as 236, rptd Karachi 148, London 1377, Usun 226.

Lovett

1. For text of this resolution (S/726), adopted at the 286th meeting of the Security Council on April 21, see SC, 3rd yr., Suppl. for April 1948, pp. 8–12. The record of the proceedings of the 284th, 285th, and 286th meetings, in which the Resolution was presented, discussed, and approved, may be found in SC, 3rd yr., No. 59, No. 60, and No. 61.