117. Telegram From the Embassy in Afghanistan to the Department of State1

406. I accompanied Ambassador Langley in hour call on Naim morning first.

Conversation dealt with recent developments Pakistan and Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. Langley stated that in conversation with Ayub day after latter became President, Ayub expressed greatest good will towards and desire for friendship with Afghanistan.

Naim stated Afghanistan Ambassador Zahir (who returned to Kabul October 31) had also seen Ayub but latter spoke only in vague generalities. Zahir had seen Mirza shortly after first coup and latter, who had shown such understanding and comprehension, had been a changed man.

Naim dwelt at some length on harshness of arrests of Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Abdul Samad Achackzai; he said they had not been in government and therefore could be no question of their being guilty of corruption. Their arrest had been profoundly shocking to Afghanistan. Second point which worried RGA was statement, made by both Mirza before ouster and by Ayub, that new government would be [Page 246] unitary. Naim said this would be less responsive to Pushtun aspirations than under British. Finally Naim stated there no freedom of expression in Pakistan.

Langley told Naim there might be some misunderstanding of what is in mind by unitary government. Under old constitution both West Pakistan and East Pakistan had certain attributes of sovereignty. Langley has found that thinking is that new constitution would restore these elements sovereignty to central government and then certain of them would be redelegated to new provinces of which would be four in West Pakistan and probably two in East Pakistan. When asked by Naim what powers such new provinces would have, Langley said he could only speculate but probably collection of taxes and their expenditure on such things as schools and public works. Naim asked if thought was being given to restoring provincial legislatures. Langley replied he imagined that under new constitution provinces would have governors and they inevitably would have to have some machinery such as councils. Ayub also has said publicly he believed in “Jirga” system and thought it should be restored for it much more suitable than British system of justice.

Langley told Naim he had already mentioned to Ayub Afghanistan concern over arrest Pakistan Pushtun leaders and he would bring it up again. [2½ lines of source text not declassified] Ayub had told Secretary McElroy he wished extend provision of Pakistan forces with US equipment (in place of British) and this would increase degree of US control over Pakistan military forces through munitions control. He assured Naim this degree of control would be exercised to see to it that Pakistan used its military equipment only for defense and not for offense.

I raised question as to whether, at later appropriate time, direct contact between RGA and GOP should not be renewed. I pointed out RGA had been successful in inculcating in Mirza an understanding and appreciation of its point of view. Now Mirza has given way to Ayub. It discouraging to have to start all over again, but Ambassador Langley had to do same thing since excellent relations he had built up with Mirza now had no meaning. In other words would it not be advisable at appropriate time for RGA to establish direct contact with Ayub and do with him what had been done with Mirza? Naim stated he had been prepared spend 24 hours with Mirza October 12 and 13 then arrest of Ghaffar Khan had led him to cancel this plan.

Langley stated Ayub is vain man and responds to flattery. Also he and his government are very sensitive to outside public opinion. He thought if RGA at later appropriate time invited Ayub to visit Kabul it would pay big dividends.

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Naim stressed that Afghanistan wanted only most amicable relations with Pakistan particularly for security reasons. He stated the two countries should be close friends particularly if there should be trouble from north. If such pressure were brought on Afghanistan, it would be very bad for Pakistan.

Explanation of Langley regarding thinking of current Pakistan Government with respect to new constitution interested Naim. Langley stated that in off-record conference with Pakistan press Ayub had stated he thought new constitution could be drawn up and power turned over to civilians in about a year. Ayub did not state this when he met foreign press. It was only indication he had had of what was in mind as to timing.

In conclusion Naim expressed appreciation for US efforts to better relations between GOP and RGA and hoped they would continue.

I became indisposed during day and DCM Elwood accompanied Ambassador Langley in call on Prince Daud that same afternoon. With Afghanistan Ambassador to Pakistan Zahir acting as interpreter, Ambassador Langley went over much same ground he had covered previously with Naim. Daud said recent utterances Pakistan leaders and arrests Pushtun leaders causing great anxiety in Afghanistan. Just as RGA had discussed frankly with Ambassador Ward2 several years back adverse repercussions to be expected from “one unit” administration of West Pakistan then in process of adoption, so Daud wished state frankly that adoption new form of government which did not take into account aspirations of Pushtuns would cause adverse reactions among Pushtuns in Pakistan, an influence on Ayub, Daud said he agreed completely, [sic]

Believe visit Ambassador Langley to Kabul extremely well timed and will tend reassure RGA that if it exercises patience, trend towards bettering relations with Pakistan can in future be resumed.

Mills
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790D.00/11–358. Confidential. Repeated to Karachi, Tehran, Ankara, and New Delhi.
  2. Angus Ward, Ambassador to Afghanistan, 1952–1956.