689.90D/6–1151: Telegram
The Chargé in Afghanistan (Horner) to the Secretary of State
410. Deptel 304, June 5.1 I called on First Under Secy MFA this morning to inform him of Pak reply to US démarche Nov 6, 1950. I had previously sought interview with acting PM, who however, stated he was overwhelmed with work and asked me to see Abdul Samad instead.
In discussion I urged upon Abdul Samad view that whereas Pak reply did not represent full acceptance our démarche still it did go long way and if it cld be accepted by GOA atmosphere more conducive to calm discussion wld result. Abdul Samad mentioned but without heat that GOA had rejected proposal from Colonel Shah which “went further” than present Pak counter to our original para 4. However, he said he wld discuss Pak answer with Acting PM first thing tomorrow (I left him aide-mémoire) and wld keep me advised result. He threw in gratuitous observation that Ali Mohamed had deep desire to see detente between these two Islamic countries and that GOA in consequence wld go as far as it cld in direction of free discussion. Key point in Abdul Samad’s mind was whether Pak counterproposal was intended to preclude discussion “Pushtun question”. I cld only point to plain language Pak message to effect “GOP will also be prepared to discuss with Afghan Amb all matters of common concern”, and suggested this shld be accepted in most generous spirit by GOA.
Whether or not due to Ramazan lethargy, I found Abdul Samad in much more accommodating state of mind than I have seen him before. Instead of wild threats of summary Afghan defeat Paks, he likened this country to sparrow which being faced with throat cutting places pathetic little paws upon knife blade.
Dept pass London. Sent Dept 410 rptd info London 13.
- Telegram 304, to Kabul, June 6, not printed, repeated the text of telegram 1173, from Karachi, June 5, also not printed, which in part transmitted the text of a brief memorandum from Zafrulla which reiterated the reply of the Pakistan Government to the U.S. approach of November 6 (as stated in the Pakistan memorandum of May 15, summarized in the editorial note, p. 1970; together with the memorandum enclosed with the Foreign Minister’s letter of May 25, as summarized in footnote 2, p. 1977). The present memorandum further stated that the reply of the Pakistan Government might be transmitted to the Afghan Government. (689.90D/6–551)↩