Office of the Historian

79. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan1

Washington, April 2, 1955—2:44 p.m.

1512. Prior receipt Embtel 13772 Department authorized Ambassador Ward express to Government of Afghanistan deep concern over failure Afghan authorities provide adequate protection US citizens in Kabul and request assurances adequate measures will be taken in future for safety of US citizens and property. Upon confirmation that these views made known to Afghans Department plans call in Ambassador here to receive expression US concern. You may inform GOP that in accordance its request Ward also being instructed associate himself as he deems appropriate with Turkish Ambassador’s protest Kabul.3

Department’s primary concern at moment is prevent further serious deterioration Pakistan Afghanistan relations which might well follow collision between headstrong GOA Prime Minister and aroused public and official feelings in Pakistan. Accordingly suggest as you deem advisable point out to GOP we have admired restraint it has exhibited to date in difficult situation and believe interests of peace on subcontinent and of free world will be best served by continuance attitude patience and restraint. We assume GOP doing everything possible prevent recurrence unfortunate retaliatory incident Peshawar reported Embtel 1386.4

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 689.90D/4–255. Secret. Drafted by Thacher and approved by Jernegan. Repeated to Kabul.↩
  2. In telegram 1377, March 31, the Ambassador in Pakistan, Horace A. Hildreth, reported on two conferences he had had on March 30 and 31 with Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammed Ali and Foreign Secretary Sir Muhammed Zafrulla Khan, during which they informed him of the incidents in Kabul. The Prime Minister also asked the U.S. and Turkish Ambassadors to request their respective governments to protest the violation of diplomatic practices to the Afghan Government. (Ibid., 689.90D/3–3155)↩
  3. See infra.↩
  4. Not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 602.8990D/4–155) See Document 77.

    The message contained in telegram 1512 was conveyed to the Pakistani Foreign Office on April 5, as reported in telegram 1410 from Karachi of the same date. During a subsequent conversation, Mirza Osman Ali Baig, the Acting Foreign Secretary, emphasized Pakistan’s desire to retain a calm atmosphere and to refrain from breaking diplomatic relations. (Department of State, Central Files, 689.90D/4–555)

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