162. Memorandum From the Department of State Executive Secretary (Brubeck) to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)0
SUBJECT
- Afghan-Pakistan Transit Dispute: Shah’s Mission Inconclusive; Future Prospects Not Bright
The Shah of Iran undertook on his own initiative to mediate the Afghan-Pakistan transit dispute. The Shah consulted in Rawalpindi, Kabul, Rawalpindi and Kabul in that order. He returned to Tehran on August 1 after spending about two weeks in the area. His mission was not immediately successful. The Afghan position continued to be that the reopening of Afghan trade agencies and consulates was a prerequisite to the resumption of normal relations. Pakistan’s position, as subsequently confirmed to Ambassador McConaughy by Ayub, similarly showed no give. In fact, the account given to our Ambassador to Pakistan takes an even harder position than Iranian sources have reported. The Government of Pakistan at present shows no inclination to restore [Page 318] Afghan trade or consular offices in the frontier region in spite of previous indications that they might be willing to make some accommodation. The Government of Pakistan, however, reiterated its willingness to facilitate Afghan transit trade through Pakistan.
The Shah’s efforts, however, appear to have obtained the consent of the disputants to further talks in Tehran under his aegis. The present unyielding attitudes of the disputants, however, does not augur well for the outcome of the talks. The Shah’s activity seems to have contributed little to a solution but the Afghans appeared appreciative of his efforts and therefore Iranian-Afghan relations probably benefited. The United States position has been to remain in the background during the Shah’s mission but to be prepared to assist if appropriate. We believe for the present we should continue this policy but we shall keep it under close review.