Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, South and Southeast Asia, Volume XV

124. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Afghanistan¹

Washington, January 22, 1959—7:34 p.m.

402. Ambassador from Rountree. As you near completion your tour duty, I wish express our deep appreciation for the diligence and effectiveness with which you have carried out your responsibilities. I have every confidence that your new appointment² will afford you similarly challenging opportunities for achievement of our goals.

As you proceed through your various farewell calls, especially those on Royal Family, Dept would appreciate your making following points (unless you perceive objection) in manner you deem most appropriate.

1. Assure RGA of abiding US interest in assisting Afghanistan in its national development efforts and the maintenance of its independence.

2. Express USG confidence that governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan will continue to adopt constructive measures for settlement of outstanding disputes. Our interest in and expectation for an eventual Afghanistan-Pakistan rapprochement undiminished.

3. Assure RGA that US arms aid to Pakistan not designed in any way to be threat Afghanistan. Emphasize this aid furnished subject to solemn GOP promise it will be used only for defensive purposes and US has absolutely no reason question validity that promise.³

4. USG recalls with great pleasure and gratitude visit of Prime Minister Daud. We greatly impressed by his statesmanship, his devotion to cause of world peace with justice, his resolute determination to maintain Afghanistan’s independence, his aspirations and plans for the economic, social and political development of his country and his forthright and frank presentations of Afghanistan’s problems and policies.

5. Dept has found Ambassador Maiwandwal to be capable and effective representative of his country. We respect his persuasiveness and shrewdness. We believe his public and private endeavors to promote better understanding in US of Afghanistan’s foreign and domestic policies and problems have been successful.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.89/1–2259. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Soulen and approved by Rountree.
2. On February 16, Mills was appointed Ambassador to Jordan.
3. Telegram 663 from Kabul, February 4, summarized Ambassador Mills’ farewell conversation with Foreign Minister Naim. “At very conclusion conversation,” the telegram noted in part, “Naim said he especially appreciative assurances given by Ambassador at beginning of conversation that US arms aid Pakistan not designed be threat to Afghanistan, and that US had no reason question GOP promise these would be used for defensive purposes only.” (Department of State, Central Files, 689.90D/2-459)