889.90D3/5–2551: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Pakistan 1
798. Apparently some misconception re US position Nov 6 approach (Embtel 1126 May 25).2 Position repeatedly stated Dept unwilling at this stage do more than bring govts together. GOP seemingly unwilling accept this fact as evidenced by efforts achieve GOP–US understanding by letter despite US statement that very basis its proffer of Good Offices is absence any preconditions. GOA has accepted in good faith Nov 6 proposal and all Dept can do is inform GOA of GOP position. Since evident GOP will not accept original US approach, remaining alternatives are rejection or counterproposal (Deptel 785 May 24). Dept has been interested in clarifying GOP proposal and minimizing possible irritation to GOA but has always believed that it was counterproposal and said wld so state to GOA. New tension GOA–GOP relations because of recent troop movements probably makes urgent action reply Nov 6 proposal less desirable at this time.
Emb instructed (1) inform GOP soonest, if not already done, Dept of opinion GOP putting forward counterproposal which wld have to be transmitted to GOA as such: (2) at same time advise GOP Dept wld of course continue have obvious interest in status Afghan–Pakistan relations as in past. In this connection Emb note original proposal (Deptel 228 Nov 2)3 which stated US position that Afghan–Pak differences cld and shld be settled by direct negotiation govts involved and that US role limited to bringing parties together. US position does not now include any responsibility for proper observance of agreement.
In its discretion as to time, Emb shld present alternatives to GOP as contained Deptel 785 May 24 with short deadline thereafter for reply. Dept wld then instinct Kabul.
[Page 1978]Dept of opinion any counterproposal useless if Pak’s do not agree on withdrawal of troops (Deptel 766 May 21); wld therefore proceed withdrawal Nov 6 proposal.
- Repeated for information to Kabul as telegram 295 and to London as 5523.↩
- Telegram 1126, from Karachi, May 25, not printed, included the text of a memorandum from the Government of Pakistan which had been transmitted to the Embassy under cover of a personal note from the Foreign Minister dated May 25. The memorandum in part sought assurances that the U.S. Government would have a “continuing interest in the proper observance” of the proposed agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which would be based mainly on the U.S. approach of November 6. (689.90D3/5–2551)↩
- Telegram 228, to Karachi, November 2, 1950, is the same as telegram 117, to Kabul, printed in Foreign Relations, 1950, vol. v, p. 1455.↩