501.BC Kashmir/6–549: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary, of State
priority
637. Comkas 47. From Macatee. Following summarizes five-page GOI reply truce terms.
- 1.
- Azad forces. GOI still
insists that previous assurance re disbanding disarming Azad
forces be made clear and decision reached within seven
weeks. Complains that, if not, presumably plebiscite
arrangements would proceed anyway obviously inconsistent
with objective free plebiscite. Thus of “utmost importance”
that
- (a)
- GOP agree now to disbandment Azads;
- (b)
- Discussions re details begin immediately after truce and decisions taken soonest;
- (c)
- Phasing Indian withdrawals should depend on progress made with actual disbandment Azads.
- 2.
- Northern areas. Because Pakistani armed locals are danger to internal security of area, are infiltrating valley and can interfere with trade routes, GOI insists acceptance principle Indian troops garrison important points, these to be decided later. Question administration area left over for now.
- 3.
- In view above, GOI feels comment unnecessary other terms. Regret cannot accede request unreserved acceptance. Now up to Commission decide whether will revise terms.
Following summarizes eleven-page GOP reply:
- 1.
- Accepts provisions cease-fire line with understanding that any adjustments by MA will be local and minor.
- 2.
- Provision re northern area:
- (a)
- Not in accord August 13 Resolution;
- (b)
- Conflicts with prior Commission assurance that no Indian military would be permitted evacuated territory;
- (c)
- Unnecessary because no real possibility incursion tribesmen or foreign invasion and trade routes run either through Indian or Pakistan-held areas;
- (d)
- Pakistan in better position safeguard security area;
- (e)
- Proposal likely create unrest in security area.
- 3.
- Provisions for withdrawal troops do not fulfill Commission pledge for synchronization. In absence information re time stages and bulk Indian troops, GOP cannot be expected make decision on terms. (This is crux Pakistan position.)
- 4.
- GOP understands Nimitz will arrive soon and appointed soon as possible and would take part in discussions disposal Azad and state forces. Actual reduction Azads would only occur after Part II implemented.
- 5.
- Reference to sovereignty of state should be omitted.
Replies show increasing cleavage between GOI and GOP views; only parallel to be found is that each hopes for revision of terms in light own views thus technically not closing door further negotiations but actually making such negotiations more difficult.
Sent Department 637, pouched Karachi, repeated London. [Macatee.]