689.90D/6–151: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Afghanistan 1
priority
300. McGhee told PM in NY May 30 that Dept seriously concerned re troop movements approx same size (5,000 men) on either side border; that GOA had proposed to GOP simultaneous withdrawal troops, which US–UK reps (independently of GOA) had urged upon GOP; that despite moderating influence Acting PM several anti-Pak demonstrations had occurred Kabul; that apparently Daud unwilling control these disorders, which might well be followed by additional border incidents; that Daud had told Emb Afghanistan might be forced call USSR its aid; and text GOP reply to Nov 6 approach not yet reed. McGhee expressed hope PM might be able return Kabul sooner than intended perhaps arriving during Ramazan.
PM agreed he wld return Kabul soonest by sea as he cld only travel short distances by air. He said we shld not be concerned with Daud’s reference to USSR (which presented threat all Afghans understood) and that Daud not of nature assume responsibility for polit maneuvers we feared (seizure of power and aggravation border incidents).
Dept informed Afghan Chargé May 31 substance this talk except for PM’s last comment re Daud’s polit ambitions.
- Repeated for information to Karachi and London as telegrams 820 and 5595, respectively.↩