689.90D/10–252: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in India 1
1010. Embtel 1406 Oct 2 Deptel 954 Sep 30.2 Appreciate offer ur reftel but Dept does not wish Afghan-Pak relations to be subj official US GOI discussion at this time. It has been apparent for some time GOI not disinterested third party either to Pushtoonistan dispute or Afghan-Pak relations in gen. Nehru’s comments reflect GOA propaganda output, even including ref to “Pak blockade”, favorite Afghan cliche.
Despite Depts serious reservation Indian attitude in Pak-Afghan relations it has no objection ur advancing in informal conversation with appropriate Indian officials ur belief GOA as minimum earnest its sincere desire accomplish rapprochement with Pak shld reciprocate latter’s action by sending Amb to Karachi. Once that is done no [Page 1376] reason why those govts, both equally aware Sov menace South Asia, cannot initiate conversations on their own re mutual problems.
Depts instrs to Kabul (Deptel 112 Sep 29)3 pouched Delhi.
- Drafted by Percival and Metcalf, cleared by Smith, repeated to Kabul as telegram 124, to Karachi as telegram 528, and to London as telegram 2433.↩
- In telegram 954 to New Delhi, the Department instructed the Embassy not to become involved in a discussion of the Pushtunistan issue with the Indian Government. (689.91/9–3052)↩
- Post, p. 1454.↩