690D.91/7–1851: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Secretary of State
358. Deptel 344, July 17 to London rptd New Delhi 128, Karachi 54, USUN 35.
1. During past few days EmbOff has consulted frequently with FonOff and CRO re India-Pak difficulties and is convinced UKG, although acutely aware of seriousness of situation, completely devoid of ideas as to possible solution. Last week FonOff and CRO jointly prepared paper on subject bringing up this or that idea including condominium for Kashmir, joint control of waterways, etc., but discarding them all as impractical until or unless there is notable relaxation of tension. Only constructive thought UKUN has been asked to explore feasibility (also mechanics involved) of having UN observers Kashmir extend their activities to Amritsar frontier area, but even this wld appear impractical as it assumably wld require SC action. It is general consensus any effort appeal to Nehru from moral standpoint [Page 1780] wld be useless (he seems to assume moral attitudes only in connection with problems outside India) and any move bring pressure to bear wld tend alienate him at expense of Commonwealth as a whole. UKG also acutely conscious delicacy Graham mission and aware any vigorous action now may prejudice its success.
2. Re Deptel 289 July 13,1 for present UK wld prefer say nothing more either to Rau in New York or to GOI in New Delhi. FonOff notes Rau has stated GOI has no intent have any positive action taken in SC. FonOff wld therefore prefer action, if any, be in form of polite acknowledgment by Pres SC, referring perhaps to reported statement by Nimmo2 on July 13 in Rawalpindi that recent incidents merely part of a series which had been magnified propagandawise out of proportion to their military significance.
3. FonOff reiterates if general build-up of India-Pak crisis continues some drastic step may be necessary. Nye, UKHC New Delhi returned London yesterday. Action will be delayed, at least until UKHC has had opportunity mull over results these conversations.
Rptd info Delhi 8, Karachi 11.
- Telegram 289 to London, July 18, not printed, included an inquiry as to the attitude of the British Foreign Office toward an approach to the Government of India (690D.91/7–1851).↩
- Maj. Gen. Robert H. Nimmo of the Australian Military Forces, Chief United Nations Military Observer in India and Pakistan.↩