501.BC Kashmir/11–1948: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Delegation at the United Nations General Assembly, at Paris

secret   us urgent

Gadel 536. For consideration GADel Huddle and possible discussion UKDel following are preliminary views Kashmir problem light latest reports:

1.
If Pak precipitation case SC makes useless further immediate efforts work out with InDel and PakDel acceptable conditions pleb, we feel situation requires submission UNCIP report with conclusions as soon as possible, preferably prior active SC consideration.
2.
Although GOP interpretation GOI military activities probably somewhat exaggerated, we believe possibility fighting Kashmir increased scale arising action GOI troops or apprehensiveness GOP, now sufficiently great justify firm SC action.
3.
For reasons in Gadel 454 simple cease-fire order still seems unfeasible. Since cease-fire and truce alone probably be strongly resisted GOP, we continue feel three-fold approach cease-fire, truce and pleb principles more desirable.
4.
Impressed reported progress UNCIP PakDel discussions principles pleb in which PakDel willing abandon insistence coalition govt and other conditions. View those concessions we feel GOI would find it difficult reject appropriately modified pleb principles.
5.
Thus feasible course might be SC call under Art 40 for cease-fire and truce along lines UNCIPs proposals plus call or recommendation parties accept pleb principles modified along lines indicated UNCIP Paris experience. This might be proposed by six original sponsors April 21 resolution.1
6.
If this course practical, effort should be made have these pleb [Page 453] principles included UNCIP report with conclusion that they, plus Aug 13 proposals offer fair basis solution. If time not permit this, factual report might be submitted immediately with indication conclusions would be presented shortly. In either event SC could then translate conclusions into decisions under Chap VI and Art 40 as appropriate.
7.
SC action would presumably be accompanied by directive to UNCIP return subcontinent supervise truce and cease-fire with assistance military adviser and work out details pleb with two govts.
8.
Re question observers Delga 821 suggest you discuss Cadogan possibility use Brit observers as suggested Kascom 21 Aug 24.2

Lovett
  1. Colombia, Belgium, Canada, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. For text, see SC, 3rd yr., Suppl. for Nov. 1948, pp. 139–144.
  2. Sent as telegram 512 to New Delhi, p. 369.