694.00/9–1351
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Officer in Charge of Pakistan–Afghanistan Affairs (Gatewood)
Subject: San Francisco Conference and Kashmir
| Participants: | Mr. M. A. H. Ispahani, Ambassador of Pakistan |
| Sir Zafrulla Khan, Pakistan Foreign Minister | |
| Mr. McGhee—NEA | |
| Mr. Weil—SOA | |
| Mr. Gatewood—SOA |
Problem:
To elicit Pakistan views on possible progress on the Kashmir case.
Action Required:
To express continued US concern with the Kashmir issue.
Action Assigned to: NEA
[Here follows a brief discussion of Pakistan’s representation at the San Francisco Conference.]
Sir Zafrulla then turned to the Kashmir issue, pointing out that public feeling was intensely aroused over Kashmir and the recent [Page 1846] troop movements by India, and stating that prompt action in the Security Council on Dr. Graham’s report must be taken to ease the pressure of the Pakistan public on the Government. Such action, he said, would best be taken before the meeting of the General Assembly in November; otherwise, the Pakistan public would believe the SC had failed to live up to its responsibilities, and further delays would be introluced into the Kashmir case because the General Assembly would overshadow the activity of the Council.
Mr. McGhee assured Sir Zafrulla that we had no intention of recognizing, as in any way binding, such action as the so-called “constituent assembly” in Indian-held Kashmir might take regarding the question of accession. Sir Zafrulla said he expected the Indian Government might not follow up the nominations of candidates for the so-called “constituent assembly” with any voting procedures, as these would be expensive and as 43 out of 45 candidates were, apparently, unopposed. He went on to compare the cordial and cooperative treatment Dr. Graham had received in Pakistan with the originally hospitable, but later evasive, reception accorded him by Nehru, and he quoted Dr. Graham to this effect. As to Dr. Graham’s suggestions for demilitarization and plebiscite, Sir Zafrulla indicated that these were designed to establish a single continuous process, in contrast to Dixon’s proposals, and he referred to the recent public statement of the GOP that Dr. Graham’s suggestions had been “accepted.” Mr. McGhee remarked that this indicated a familiar pattern: Pakistan accepting, and, possibly, India refusing to consider measures of conciliation.
Sir Zafrulla made it clear that, in his opinion, it was not yet necessary to proceed in the Security Council to take action under Chapter VIII of the Charter (“Threats to Peace”), but that it was most desirable for the Council to “recommend such terms of settlement as it may consider appropriate” under Chapter VI, Article 37. Mr. McGhee pointed out that there were general limitations on the effectiveness of UN action which had to be carefully considered, and Sir Zafrulla agreed, stating that his Government “cannot ask for the moon,” but that some progress must be made as the Kashmir dispute was becoming a “weariness of the spirit” for the Security Council and all concerned.
Mr. Weil inquired whether the greatest pressure on the GOP was coming from the general public, the tribes in the Northwest, or possibly the dangers of communal disturbances in East Pakistan. Sir Zafrulla said that General Devers had held talks with quite a number of tribal leaders along the northwest frontier, and had been assured by them that so long as the UN was taking some action leading to a fair plebiscite in Kashmir, they could restrain their tribes.
[Page 1847][Here follows a brief discussion of shipments of cotton from Pakistan to Communist China.]
After mentioning his great regret over the recent illness of Mr. Ghulam Mohammed, Pakistan Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr. McGhee asked Sir Zafrulla if it would be convenient for him to see Mr. Harriman (as informally suggested by Mr. McGhee) late this afternoon at Mr. Harriman’s home, to give him a brief review of the military situation on the subcontinent. Sir Zafrulla concurred and also accepted Mr. McGhee’s invitation to a private dinner with him tomorrow evening. He was also informed that the Secretary would see him tomorrow afternoon.