501.BC Kashmir/10–1148: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Acting Secretary of State
Delga 281. 1. British Delegate told us 9th British Government felt most desirable Kascom report be withheld until results apparent of efforts bring Nehru and Liaquat together in London. We concur especially as report would be delayed few days if at all. British Government also inclined hope report will contain at least passing reference to idea of partition.
2. London 70 [702] to Paris, October 4,1 mentioned Foreign Office hopes Mudaliar and Zafrullah meeting here as first step toward out of court settlement. This bit wishful as neither we nor British Delegate source can find any evidence their having met at all. Also with Nehru and Liaquat nearby both delegates reluctant discuss Kashmir Hyderabad cases. For these reasons informal discussions approved by Gadel 91, September 29,2 now believed impractical quite apart from fact that Indian Delegate must be aware that Nehru on September 11 rejected Kascom suggestion of adding to August 13 resolution brief outline plebiscite arrangements under UN supervision.
3. We feel strongly any approach now on either Kashmir or Hyderabad can only be effective if made at top level and US efforts should be coordinated with British efforts London. If Secretary meets Nehru [Page 427] as planned October 15 imperative British keep us closely informed so decision can be made whether Secretary should refer these issues specifically and, if so, what line. Suggest Foreign Office keep us up-to-date through British Delegate as our communications overloaded and subject delay. We have not told British Delegate yet of probable meeting Secretary and Nehru.
4. On receipt information from Kascom which we requested urgently will answer queries in Cadogan aide-mémoire re time table and Kascom thinking (Delga 257, October 8). We attach greatest importance to unique opportunity bring parties together London and, however slim chances out of court settlement are, we believe all else including time table Kascom report should for moment be subordinated to this. At same time both India and Pakistan must believe SC action will follow, if necessary under VII, if they fail reach agreement privately.
Repeated Geneva for Kascom.
Sent Department Delga 281, repeated London 1042, Geneva 120. Department repeat New Delhi and Karachi.