Office of the Historian

689.90D/5–2051: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Pakistan 1

secret
priority
Washington, May 26, 1951—5 p. m.

792. In light present info Dept unable understand fol (1) Def Secy view (Embtel 1086, May 18)2 that border raids have no special significance and FonMin report (Embtel 1094, May 19.) that sit becoming inflammatory; (2) GOP declaration of maintaining normal defense positions about Chaman border while it describes concentrations composed of armored squadron from Kohat and planes from Rawalpindi; (3) GOP ref (Embtel 1097, May 20) to maintaining its “normal mil strength stationed in these areas in previous years” and recent decisions after careful consideration to revert to the sound “defense arrangements in Shelabagh-Chaman area before partition”; (4) GOP FonMin concurred your suggestion for simultaneous withdrawal GOP–GOA border forces (Embtel 1096, May 20) but GOP note requested only GOA withdrawal; and (5) Pak charge Kabul had reed no instrs at all re troop withdrawals by evening May 24 (Kabul’s tel 373).3

GOP actions seem to indicate (1) GOP has lost faith in utility any bilateral negot before demonstrating its own mil strength to GOA and its firm intention stopping Afghan border raids; (2) GOP believes US and UK can take no action to prevent Pak make such demonstration and will not take strong line in view US–UK desire for Pak support on larger issues; and (3) GOP taking up position to overturn present GOA if any mil move in Kashmir becomes nec (re Ikramullah–Kennedy conversation last Apr). Last conjecture may be supported if Emb can ascertain whether new Pak defense policy applies to whole frontier and whether additional troop movements have taken place in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar areas.

Emb comments desired soonest re above and re (1) reason for GOP additional implementation at this time (by forward troop movements) of decision that preparation defense positions were sound; and (2) indications possible relation troop movement and GOP attitude to Nov 6 approach.

[Page 1977]

Dept presumes GOP has been further urged accept simultaneous withdrawal per Kabul’s 373, May 24, but if not suggests this be done after consultation UK HICOM.

Acheson
  1. Repeated to Kabul for information as 293 and to London as 5503.↩
  2. Telegram 1086, from Karachi, May 18, not printed, but see footnote 1 to telegram 1094 from Karachi, May 19, p. 1971.↩
  3. Telegram 373, from Kabul, May 24, not printed, reported in part that even before the Pakistani Chargé in Kabul had delivered a note to the Afghan Government on the border situation, the Afghan Government had put forth a proposal for joint and simultaneous troop withdrawals. Since the Pakistani Chargé in Kabul had received no instructions on troop withdrawals by May 24, the Embassy recommended in telegram 373 that the Government of Pakistan be prevailed upon to undertake negotiations promptly with Afghanistan. (689.90D/5–2451)↩