790D.5 MSP/1–2254: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Afghanistan 1
183. Your 233.2 Ludin called on Byroade Jan 15 in pursuance instructions and after reviewing his earlier representation to Sec (Department’s 169)3 took line quite similar that reported ur 233. His general [Page 1471] concern seemed be over magnitude of present and contemplated assistance to Afghans’ neighbors without corresponding benefit to them. He stated frankly that he and his government having difficult time deciding whether Afghan should request military and greater economic assistance from US. He wished discuss matter in preliminary way so that they could best make up their minds.
As Ludin had mentioned figures quoted in Press of up to $250 million for Pakistan military assistance,4 he was told this pure speculation. US did not decide money amount military assistance programs in advance. If decision made to proceed with Pakistan, survey team would be sent that country and assistance would take form of needed materiel as result such survey, depending upon available supply of items and priority given that country in view our other commitments. Thus any figure at this stage pure speculation.
Ludin was asked for an analysis of what he thought Afghan position would be. He replied his government’s decision to assume initial risk receiving military assistance from US would probably be determined by their understanding of amount of aid that could be obtained and speed with which it could be made available. Byroade concluded conversation with asssurance Department would give serious thought Ludin’s remarks.
Although it seems doubtful amount assistance US could make available would seem sufficient in Afghan’s eyes to warrant them taking such a step with the West would prefer not attempt make decision or definitive reply at this time. We hopeful developments re Turkey and Pakistan will occur soon and may have some bearing on this problem. In meantime believe best reply to Naim is that US has matters raised by him under consideration. Since question inevitably involves other developments in general area determination US views may take some time.
- Telegram approved for transmission by Byroade.↩
- Dated Jan. 7. In it Ambassador Ward had reported in part that Foreign Minister Naim had requested him to inquire what the attitude of the Department would be should Afghanistan request military aid from the United States. (780.5/1–754)↩
- In this telegram, dated Jan. 11, the Department had informed the Embassy of a conversation held between Ambassador Ludin and the Secretary on Jan. 5. (790D.5 MSP/1–1154) For a memorandum of this conversation, see p. 1407.↩
- For documentation on this subject, see pp. 1818 ff. and volume ix .↩