501.BC Kashmir/8–2348: Telegram
The United States Representative on the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (Huddle) to the Secretary of State
732. Comkas 23. India has indicated its acceptance Commission’s proposals for cease-fire and truce agreement presented to Prime Minister fourteenth but acceptance is premised on interpretations certain moot points which do not precisely accord with those of Commission. Commission is therefore now endeavoring establish with India satisfactory mutual understanding but until this is done American delegation considers India’s acceptance only provisional though several other delegations hold more hopeful view.
Delegations returning from Karachi were discouraged Pakistan reception of proposals, feel Pakistanis have been offended by Commission, and anticipate Pakistan rejection. American delegation inclined accept this view but nevertheless believes hope eventual qualified Pakistan acceptance may be entertained, if only because after reported [Page 367] unanimous decision to reject (Karachi telegram 4181), Foreign Minister did not announce rejection and several days later presented Commission long list of points on which his Govt desired clarification.
Sir Zafrullah’s questionnaire characteristic in some respects needless and may be intended primarily embarrass Commission (some elements of Commission feel he is preparing for complaint to SC) or to prolong negotiations. Commission’s proposals difficult to reject and he may wish to prepare other grounds for ignoring them.
Some credence may be given report that Pakistan now wants to delay any decision in Kashmir question to embarrassment India while Hyderabad problem is being agitated. India undoubtedly is in difficult position and might wish to dispose of Kashmir matter before tackling Hyderabad.
Commission may return in body to Karachi later this week if points of difference with India adjusted and will make every endeavor mollify Pakistan Govt and procure acceptance its proposals.
If agreement cannot be reached and India and Pakistan cannot be persuaded work out Kashmir problem together with mutual good will and good faith, outlook for further constructive effort by Commission is dim.
- Telegram 418, August 19, not printed.↩