357.AB/10–1551: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
priority
471. From Gross to Hickerson. Re Kashmir. Graham and I had long and I hope definitive discussion Sunday1 evening regarding his report.2 I had refrained up to this point from pressing him in any direction but rather had acceded to his obvious desire that I be a sounding board for his ideas as well as a confidant. Yesterday I felt time was ripe for me to stress latter role and accordingly I told him frankly that whereas up to now I had been attempting to give him a balanced, somewhat neutral reaction to his evolving ideas, I was prepared if he desired to make affirmative recommendations.
He expressed eagerness for me to do so and accordingly I emphasized advantages in his not requesting widening of his authority at present time, expanding Dept ideas set forth in Deptel 200, October 12. After lengthy discussion he agreed.
He stressed advantages of retaining flexibility in his own future informal approaches to both parties. He plans to give his report to UN Secretariat today, asking Secretariat to hold it in confidence until he has had opportunity to give it to both parties prior to its public release. He also agreed to SC meeting this week at which he would outline history of his efforts on subcontinent.
He will go to Paris and expects to have informal discussion with Zafrullah and Rau at which time he will place before them his new points. He will determine his future actions and recommendations on basis of their reactions to his informal proposals.
[Page 1883]We discussed possible alternative future courses. I expressed the view that he possesses sufficient authority under March 30 res to make suggestions to parties of sort he has in mind and although he has some doubt he appears satisfied.
We agreed that if either party raised questions of his competence to make new suggestions he could at any time request SC for requisite additional authority since he will be in Paris and SC could be quickly convened.
Re problem of period for which his authority would be extended, I suggested SC might fix six weeks for submission further report, without setting time limit on his mission. [Gross.]