357.AB/4–1252: Telegram
The Ambassador in Pakistan (Warren) to the Department of State1
1178. Deptel 1029 Apr 9, 7 p.m. In the absence of the PriMin and FonMin from Karachi, I called on FonSecy this a.m. to discuss the substance reftel. He permitted me to read the Pak instr sent to Bokhari April 10 stating that the GOP is not prepared to take a decision on Graham’s aide-mémoire but preferred to await the presentation of his report to the SC on April 15. At that time the GOP will examine the report with sympathetic consideration and open mind in the hope it may contain constructive suggestions that will justify contd negots.
Commenting on the instr to the Pak UN member, the FonSecy said the decision was reached at a cab mtg. The attitude of the cab is to accept Nimitz provided he is named administrator and not admin designate. To accept Graham’s suggestion of his participation in further conversations without the authority of designation wld, in the Pak opinion, subj him to possible attack by India and subsequent rejection as administrator. Shld Graham offer to continue negot on his four outstanding proposals with the participation of mil advisors, the Paks will be prepared to participate even without the presence of Nimitz. In that event, they will not send a cab min as Zafrulla intimated to me earlier in the week, but will probably send the FonSecy accompanied either by the Commdr in Chief or the Sec of Defense. In the event that Graham is unwilling to meet these two Pak reservations, they then intend to withdraw from further participation and to inform their people of Graham’s failure and the SC’s inability to bring about a solution.
The FonSecy said that during two days of emotional discussion on Kashmir at the governors conf this week, the cab was urged strongly to take the Kashmiri case to the people. The suggestion was rejected by the PriMin and his colleagues on the ground that the time is not opportune while the Graham report is under preparation. However, shld the report be considered to be a failure, then the cab must be prepared to inform the Muslim League and the country how things stand.
Fol my conv with the FonSecy, a 3-way conv was immed set up in the Fon Office with Mohammad Ali who has been designated by the cab to discuss Kashmiri matters with my UK colleague and myself during the absence of the PriMin and the FonMin. Mohammad Ali confirmed to me that the attitude of his govt is to wait upon the presentation of Graham’s report and then to agree to further negots if the Paks find anything constructive in it, and if not, to “faceup to the issue”.
- This telegram was repeated by the Department to London (priority).↩