114. Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Afghan Ambassador (Maiwandwal) and the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Rountree), Department of State, Washington, October 13, 19581
SUBJECT
- Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations
Ambassador Maiwandwal began the conversation by stating that he had read the news of developments in Pakistan.2 He wished to hear Mr. Rountree’s reactions to these developments since, in his opinion, the United States and Afghanistan have much the same attitude toward Pakistan.
Mr. Rountree indicated that, considering the way the political situation had been evolving, the recent action in Pakistan was not one of great surprise. The specific circumstances under which Presidential rule was prescribed and the timing of this action were, however, somewhat surprising to most observers. Mr. Rountree stated that we are gratified that both Mirza and Ayub have reaffirmed Pakistan’s foreign policy of cooperation with the free world. He noted that we have no reason to doubt this reaffirmation. Mr. Rountree told Ambassador Maiwandwal that we were pleased that Mirza included the Ambassador of Afghanistan along with the Ambassadors of the United States, Turkey, and Iran in the diplomatic group which he invited to his house on the evening of the take-over to explain his action. Mr. Rountree thought the inclusion of the Afghanistan Ambassador was quite significant. It is our general impression that both Mirza and Ayub have advocated closer relations with Afghanistan. Referring to his visit to Pakistan last year, Mr. Rountree noted that Mirza had emphasized the importance of such relations.
Mr. Rountree told Ambassador Maiwandwal that we were, of course, sorry that the constitution had been set aside. However, we take with great seriousness the statements of Mirza that the political situation required such action on his part, and that martial law will be [Page 241] ended soon. Mr. Rountree expressed the hope that Mirza’s action would prevent corruption and curb other such divisive tendencies and that out of this action will come good.
Ambassador Maiwandwal responded by saying that he had received instructions from his government to bring to the attention of the United States Government the possible disturbing effect of recent developments in Pakistan on Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. The Ambassador stated that Mirza and Ayub had made two public statements against the dissolution of “one-unit” administration in West Pakistan. This, coupled with the arrest of Ghaffar Khan and Abdul Samad Khan, two Pakistan Pushtu leaders, has caused great anxiety in Afghanistan. He stated that he was told to convey the deep concern of his government with respect to these developments. This concern, according to Ambassador Maiwandwal, had led Foreign Minister Naim to cancel his plans to visit the United States to undergo medical treatment.
Ambassador Maiwandwal reviewed the sharp deterioration in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations which occurred in 1955 when Pakistan announced its intention to merge the provinces of West Pakistan into one unit.3 Referring to the improvements in relations since that time, Ambassador Maiwandwal stated that Mirza had been one of the principal architects of the new phase of friendship between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He stated that Mirza had shown a will and determination to meet the Pushtu point of view. Mirza had pointed out that because of constitutional restrictions, he was not free to resolve the “one-unit” question, but that if he had the authority, he would not hesitate to act. The Ambassador indicated that his government hoped that Mirza would not do anything more that might affect adversely Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.
Ambassador Maiwandwal mentioned the correspondence between President Eisenhower and King Zahir following the deterioration in Pakistan–Afghanistan relations as a result of Pakistan’s decision to merge the provinces of West Pakistan into one-unit. He stated that this exchange of letters had helped toward good future relations with Pakistan, and through Pakistan with the free world which the Government of Afghanistan desires.
Mr. Rountree responded by saying that our interest in creating an atmosphere conducive to cooperation and better relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan is manifest in many ways. Such interest includes not only oral representation but also economic aid to both countries designed to promote better relations. He stated that the United States would very much regret developments which would [Page 242] impair the progress toward better relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan which we have been pleased to witness. Our attitude toward a rapprochement between the two countries has not changed, nor has our interest in such rapprochement diminished. It is our earnest hope that recent developments in Pakistan may be used as a new point of departure to promote better relations between the two countries.
In response to a request by Ambassador Maiwandwal, Mr. Rountree stated that he would be pleased to convey the views expressed by the Ambassador to Secretary Dulles. He expressed confidence that the Secretary would share his hope that, at this crucial time, both Afghanistan and Pakistan would do everything possible to maintain friendly relations.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 689.90D/10–1358. Secret. Drafted by David B. Bolen.↩
- On October 7, President Mirza issued a proclamation that abrogated the Pakistani Constitution, dismissed the Central and Provincial Governments, dissolved the National and Provincial Assemblies, abolished all political parties, proclaimed martial law, and appointed General Ayub Khan as Chief Martial Law Administrator. Between October 10 and 12, a number of leading Pakistani political leaders were arrested under the Security of Pakistan Act, including Pushtu leaders Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Abdul Samad Khan.↩
- On September 30, 1955, the Pakistani National Assembly passed legislation merging all of West Pakistan into a single administrative unit; the “one-unit” law took effect on October 14, 1955.↩