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

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

Washington, September 5, 1958—3:57 p.m.

492. Karachi tel sent Dept 404² info London 53 New Delhi 71 and New Delhi tel sent Dept 490³ info Karachi 74 (not repeated London).

In light current information all sources and developments in Karachi since August 20 Dept believes it inadvisable US officials make any further direct representations to GOP or GOI officials re substantive aspects Noon–Nehru Sept 9 conference.

Believe Embassy Karachi has made adequately clear desirability of restraint (example Embtel 422⁴ info New Delhi 74). View Noon’s recent statements in National Assembly and elsewhere re peaceful solution Indo-Pak problems little to be gained with him by further urging now.⁵ Dept accepts New Delhi’s implicitly negative assessment value approaching Nehru as suggested Karachi 404. Therefore if GOI or GOP officials initiate discussion dealing with September 9 conference US officials should confine their remarks (with exception Karnafuli, see below) to expression sincere hope that talks will be successful and tensions eased thereby.

Above limitation does not apply to problem GOI–GOP interim agreement regarding Karnafuli dam flooding potential (Deptel sent New Delhi 462⁶ info Karachi 410). Karnafuli impinges on border problems and US (outside context September 9 conference) has made known to both Governments its deep interest in their reaching such agreement. Therefore our concern over continuing delays logically could be voiced in any discussion of Sept 9 conference and hope expressed that interim agreement will evolve from that meeting.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 690D.91/8–2058. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Soulen and approved by Rountree. Also sent to New Delhi and repeated to London.
2. Document 51.
3. In telegram 490 from New Delhi, August 26, the Embassy noted that Nehru had no desire to discuss anything with Noon other than the border situation, since he lacked confidence in Noon and in Pakistani political stability, at least until the Pakistani elections. (Department of State, Central Files, 690D.91/8–2658)
4. In telegram 422, August 22, the Embassy reported that Acting Foreign Secretary Arshad Husain confirmed to Knight that the Noon-Nehru talks would begin in New Delhi on September 10. Knight also urged that great restraint be exercised during the talks in order to avoid either side taking an entrenched position which might prevent later progress. (Ibid., 690D.91/8–2258)
5. In telegram 489 from Karachi, September 2, the Embassy reported that at the opening session of the Pakistani National Assembly on September 1, Noon urged moderation in discussing Indo-Pakistani problems since it was necessary to create a good atmosphere prior to his talks with Nehru. (Ibid., 690D.90/9–258)
6. Telegram 462, August 25, a joint Department of State–ICA message, asked whether India was prepared to reply to Pakistan’s most recent note regarding the Karnafuli dam problem. (Ibid., 890D.2614/7–1158)