501.BC Kashmir/10–448: Telegram
The Chargé in Pakistan (Lewis) to the Secretary of State
491. Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan replied October 2 to Nehru’s telegram reference mytel 486, October 2. After reviewing Pakistan’s position matter Kashmir dispute, Liaquat Ali Khan closed his message with following paragraph:
“I regret to note that while professing desire for peaceful and cooperative relations with Pakistan, you have in your telegram under reply threatened Pakistan with war. This is hardly the way to promote peaceful and cooperative relations between two countries. I must make it clear that the Pakistan Government cannot allow themselves to be intimidated by a threat of the use of force by your government. Such a threat is a violation of the Charter of the United Nations and is a serious challenge to the authority of the Security Council which is seized of the Kashmir dispute. Moreover, this threat is in complete disregard of the UN Commission’s resolution of 19 September in which the Commission appealed to the Government of India and Pakistan to use their best endeavors during the absence of the Commission to lessen the existing tension in Kashmir dispute. Consequently, I have felt it my duty to bring your telegram and my reply to the notice of the chairman of the UN commission.”1
Sent Department; repeated Delhi 84, pouched Lahore; Department pass London 36, Geneva 3, Paris 3.
- Copy of complete text transmitted to the Department by the Chargé in his despatch 437, October 4; received October 18, not printed.↩