320/12–1351: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin)
priority
Gadel 432. Subject Kashmir. Re Delga 601 December 10; 436 November 301 and London’s 2624 repeated Paris as 1209 December 6.
1. Following are Department’s views re future action Kashmir question which should be conveyed to Dr. Graham for comment. Until [Page 1915] Department has been advised his views, Department suggests USDel and London not discuss with British colleagues. (a) In event Dr. Graham unable obtain agreement by end 6 weeks period Department strongly believes he must continue negotiations probably on subcontinent; (b) In view GOP attitude indicated Delga 601 Department believes Dr. Graham should make written report to SC by December 22 deadline. Department doubts advisability lengthy report as such might encourage parties make intemperate statements and precipitate SC debate. Therefore, suggests brief factual account his current efforts including possibly points one and two mentioned paragraph 5 Delga 601 together with statement his view further negotiations will reduce two points of difference. How, when and extent of indicating his intentions return subcontinent up to Dr. Graham; (c) SC action on December 22 report should be avoided as merely likely harden Indian position with concurrent lessening possibility of further effective negotiations by Dr. Graham. Accordingly, Department presumes Dr. Graham will wish have understanding with Zafrullah this point through assurance he will have further views to indicate per paragraph 4 November 10 resolution after conclusion negotiations on subcontinent which we believe should be short duration; (d) either prior to going subcontinent or upon arrival Dr. Graham might suggest both parties that withdrawal token forces from area during month January would be indication their good faith and possible easing tension. Dr. Graham and General Devers should go to subcontinent early part January for talks with Nazimuddin, and with Nehru either before or immediately after Indian elections, in manifested hope gaining necessary approval demilitarization plans. In this connection final polling in Indian elections occurs January 23.
2. Re Graham’s suggestion that 6 to 800 military observers be sent to Kashmir as alternative to neutral troops, Department believes this figure probably unobtainable particularly on short notice. However, if General Devers indicates his belief Pentagon ought attempt produce necessary U.S. contingents, Department will press for such, providing Dr. Graham still believes it desirable. Only present limiting consideration from U.S. is statutory ceiling of 1000 placed on U.S. military personnel assignable to U.N. Department believes further discussions should be discouraged re possibility making U.N. forces available for service in Kashmir. No U.N. troops are available or will be available from Korea and U.N. members are presently being pressed for additional troops for Korea.
3. If Dr. Graham decides return to subcontinent and desires services Aycock,2 Department will press University North Carolina release him for month January.
[Page 1916]4. Re current Indian figure 28,000 Indian troops plus 6,000 militia (see paragraph 1 Delga 601) Department notes Bajpai informed Steere on December 1 (New Delhi’s 1940 repeated Paris as Gadel 40 December 1) Government of India had instructed Rau indicate it would give up armored support and reduce forces to 21,000.
- Delga 436, from Paris, November 30, reported in part that Graham had informed the U.S. Delegation to the General Assembly that his talks with representatives of India and Pakistan in Paris were progressing slowly on two points: 1) the number of troops to remain in Kashmir at the end of the demilitarization period and 2) the date on which India was to assure the appointment of the Plebiscite Administrator. Graham considered Indian demands for the number of troops to be left in Kashmir to be excessively high. (320/11–8051)↩
- William B. Aycock, Professor of Law, University of North Carolina; Personal Assistant to the U.N. Representative for India and Pakistan.↩