689.90D3/4–2151: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
2913. Ciragam April 6, 8:25 a m and Karachi tel 964 to Dept Apr 16.1 Altho dispute over Durand Line primarily between Pak and Afghan, GOI considers itself to have interest on historical grounds and because kind and method settlement of, prolongation of, dispute might have deep effect upon situation through all SOA. As Dept aware GOI gen position is Durand Line not necessarily frontier between Afghan and Pak and question frontier shld be settled amicably by discussion between Pak and Afghan. From this vantage point it seems to us status Durand Line shld be regarded by US as more of judicial than polit dispute and that unless some distinctly constructive purpose can be achieved it wld be preferable in absence judgment by some internatl tribunal for US Govt which has no historical connection with dispute not to issue statement recognizing Durand Line as border. Embs Kabul and Karachi better position than we to judge what effects such statement wld have on Afghan and Pak. We have however, no info here which wld cause us believe such statement wld induce Afghan cease agitation. In fact we concerned lest statement cause Afghan to act even more irresponsibly since it might no longer be subject our present restraining influence. In India such statement wld probably be regarded as another example “US power politics” in SOA.
2. If info Dept’s disposal now or at later date shld indicate such statement by US wld be helpful in relieving tension over Durand Line its issuance wld of course serve constructive purpose and wld seem advisable regardless of probably unfavorable reception in India.
Dept pass London. Sent Dept 2913; rptd Kabul 24, Karachi 98, London 124.
- Telegram 964, from Karachi, April 16, not printed, asked the Department, in connection with its circular airgram of April 6, p. 1953, to suggest the time and place for consultation with a representative of the Embassy concerning the future possibility of a U.S. statement on the Durand Line (689.90D3/4–1651).↩