690E.91/8–1051: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Secretary of State
826. Embtel 760, August 8, rptd Delhi 25 Karachi 24.
1. Pak HC London1 has informed CRO his govt concurs in “personal suggestion” by UKHC Karachi that UN observers be sent Punjab frontier (Embtel 660, Aug 1). Problem now before CRO is how to reopen subject with GOI. Desk level thinking is that UKHC New Delhi wld say he had reported conversation to his govt which had approved his initative and had authorized him ask whether GOI had given consideration to possible use observers. Only if GOI reaction contd negative wld UKHC mention observers agreeable to Pak.
2. CRO now giving consideration to possibility, in event Graham reports he unable carry out his mission, of recommending that Pak troops garrisoning Kashmir be gradually replaced by UN forces and that, perhaps coincidentally, GOI troops in Kashmir be gradually withdrawn, thus paving way for polit settlement in less strained atmosphere. That this plan has pitfalls is obvious, but at least it is refreshing indication constructive thinking here.
Sent Dept 826, rptd info New Delhi 27, Karachi 26.
- Habib Ibrahim Rahimtoola, High Commissioner of Pakistan in the United Kingdom.↩