689.90D/2–1253

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Byroade)1

confidential

Subject:

  • Problems in Afghanistan–Pakistan Relations
[Page 1389]

Participants:

  • HRH Sardar Mohammad Naim, Ambassador of Afghanistan
  • Mohammad Hashim Khan Maiwandwal, Counselor of Afghan Embassy
  • NEA—Mr. Byroade
  • Mr. Jernegan
  • SOA—Mr. Percival

Ambassador Naim called to introduce his new Counselor, Mr. Maiwandwal, to Mr. Jernegan and myself. After the usual exchange of amenities, the Ambassador asked if the Secretary planned to make a visit to South Asia as the newspapers had recently suggested. I replied that I understood the Secretary was occupied with matters of Departmental reorganization and would have to attend a NATO meeting in April. Consequently I did not believe he had any firm plans for visiting in our area although I was sure he would like to do so as soon as circumstances permitted. Mr. Jernegan pointed out that although press reports suggested that the purpose of the trip would be to develop some form of Far Eastern or Asiatic defense pact, he was unaware of the existance of such plans. The Ambassador also asked when I was planning to go to South Asia. I replied that I had hoped to go in February. Unfortunately that was impossible and I now had no firm idea as to when I could make such a trip.

Referring to his conversations last October with Secretary Acheson and Under Secretary Bruce re the Soviet pressure on Afghanistan over oil exploration and the difficulties Afghanistan faces because of strained Afghanistan–Pakistan relations,2 the Ambassador said that he understood that because of the problems attendant upon a new administration and possible Departmental reorganization it had been impossible to transmit to him the American “opinion” on his presentation of the problems last fall. His interest in US views on this matter continued, however. I replied that our interest in the problems of Afghanistan–Pakistan relations continues and we still hope that the Afghan Government will find it possible to send an ambassador to Karachi to discuss mutual problems through normal diplomatic channels.

The Ambassador then referred to the December bombing incidents in Pakistan tribal territory, in “Pushtoonistan,” as he said, which incidents, the Ambassador felt, showed that there were people in the tribal territory who were dissatisfied with GOP’s policies. Pakistan had said that the group, who were bombed while attending a peaceful normal tribal Jirga to settle their own affairs, were led by an outlaw, Wali Khan. Irrespective of Wali Khan’s presence at the Jirga or his status as far as the GOP was concerned, the incident established that there [Page 1390] were those opposed to the Government of Pakistan in the tribal area, as Afghanistan had long asserted. He felt that such an incident could only serve to exacerbate Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. The Ambassador asserted that Afghanistan was always willing to discuss its problems with the Government of Pakistan. However, when his uncle, H.R.H. Sardar Mohammad Hashim Khan, former Afghan Prime Minister, had accepted an invitation extended by the GOP to visit and to hold discussions in Karachi enroute to the United States in December he found upon arrival in Karachi that there was no official with whom to talk. Sir Zafrulla was at the UN, Prime Minister Nazimuddin was in London and the Governor General was up in Lahore. About two weeks ago Sir Zafrulla asked Hashim Khan to stop in Karachi enroute home from the United States. Hashim said he would be willing to accept if there was someone there to talk to. He appreciated Pakistan’s courtesy and hospitality but he couldn’t discuss mutual Afghan–Pakistan problems unless ranking government officials were present in Karachi.

I said that I had talked generally on the question of Afghan–Pakistan relations with Sir Zafrulla some two weeks ago and he seemed to be quite open minded.3 I assured the Ambassador of our continued interest in the improvement of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations and that we would inform him when we had something on the subject which would be of interest to him.

  1. Drafted by Percival.
  2. See the memoranda of conversation by Bruce, Oct. 24, and by Witman, Oct. 29, 1952, pp. 1376 and 1378, respectively.
  3. See the memorandum of conversation by Byroade, Jan. 27, p. 1387.