501.BC Kashmir/12–748: Telegram
The Acting Chairman of the United States Delegation at the United Nations General Assembly (Dulles) to the Secretary of State
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Delga 1099. Our initial reaction latest UK draft re Kashmir (Delga 1062, September [December] 4) was that it closely paralleled our thinking. From further study text and informal discussion with UK representatives, it appears that net effect UK resolution in present form is to tie both parties firmly to cease-fire action present benefit GOP; to leave GOI without any definite commitment re withdrawal GOP troops (paragraph 3 Delga 1062 inaccurate this respect); and although binding neither GOI or GOP to concrete plebiscite agreement, would place emphasis on SC April 21 plebiscite scheme which GOI will not accept. We understand full text this resolution has been repeated British Embassy and Department may obtain copy there. In informal meeting UK, US and Canadian representatives December 6 we expressed our misgivings and stressed desirability SC resolution which would recommend to parties implementation August 13 UNCIP resolution and present UNCIP plebiscite proposals which in our view represent more balanced approach and, therefore, have more chance acceptance. We prepared informal draft resolution along these lines as basis for further discussions UK delegation.
Any SC action along foregoing lines dependent, of course, on outcome present UNCIP negotiations re plebiscite which may not be known definitely for several days. Gap between GOI and GOP positions smaller than it ever has been since inception SC consideration problem, but we obviously must also be prepared for failure only a few days before SC terminates present sittings December 16. In such contingency UK delegation may press for attempt push through some SC resolution before that date because of its strong feeling necessity cease-fire present Kashmir fighting.
Such an effort would appear inadvisable, because of brief time available for SC consideration; unlikelihood UNCIP report will be ready for several more days; lack of any alarming military news from Kashmir; and the difficulties which would confront one or both parties if called upon by SC to accept recommendations turned down only a week before; wiser course would appear SC consideration UNCIP report and recommendations at first possible January meeting Lake Success.
[Page 472]Would appreciate Department’s views.1
Sent Department Delga 1099, repeated to London as 1440.
- The Acting Secretary of State, in his telegram Gadel 715 of December 9, not printed, informed Dulles that the Department held similar views concerning the latest U.K. draft resolution (501.BC Kashmir/12–748).↩