689.90D/12–353: Telegram
The Ambassador in Afghanistan (Ward) to the Department of State
195. Foreign Minister Naim today inquired re validity recent press statements US and GOP about to enter military pact. I stated I had no information beyond recent Washington denials,1 of which I assumed he aware.
Naim stated military assistance to GOP would prove harmful to GOA for reason (1) it would strengthen neighbor which has not demonstrated desire for harmonious existence with Afghanistan and (2) it would prompt USSR take defensive measures at expense Afghanistan. He added subsidizing Pakistan military might by outside power would destroy hope neighboring countries acquiring parity and these latter would therefore fall into apathy and passivity, which would constitute regional menace.
Naim stated Afghanistan does not desire dismemberment Pakistan, but does desire Pushtun brethren be afforded opportunity to decide freely own fate. For first time he volunteered discussion on Pakistan-Afghanistan need for common policies and joint agreements on economic, [Page 1407] politicai and military matters, which he alleged are realizable were GOP’s not so unreasonable on Pushtunistan.
- At a press conference on Nov. 17, Secretary Dulles denied that the United States and Pakistan were negotiating a military aid agreement. President Eisenhower confirmed that denial on Nov. 18 and promised that the United States would be very cautious about doing anything with respect to Pakistan which might create unrest in India. (New York Times, Nov. 18 and 19, 1953)↩