173. Telegram From Secretary of State Rusk to the Department of State 1

Secto 49. Following Based on Uncleared Memcom. Prince Naim saw Secretary bilateral substantive talk this morning. He took major portion of hour to describe compromise formula he said had been agreed upon previous evening in long discussion with Mohammed Ali at Aram dinner which lasted until 1:30 this morning.

Formula, he reported, envisages restoration consular functions at Peshawar and Quetta but by diplomatic personnel specifically assigned this function. After initial period, which Naim had suggested might be month or six weeks, offices would become regular consulates with regular consular personnel. He had told Mohammed Ali if Pakistan were to have any complaint about subversive activities of consular personnel, [Page 339] GOP should make complaint to him as Foreign Minister about individuals and have them withdrawn in accordance normal diplomatic practice, instead of closing consulates. He assured Mohammed Ali GOA would not use consulates for subversion.

Formula also envisages opening of trade agencies briefly until completion of rail spurs. He stated he expected this would take no more than 3 months in one case and 8 or 9 in other.

Naim indicated his realization Pakistanis had to “save face.” He said he felt sure he could persuade GOA accept compromise as stands but he is not sure Mohammed Ali can or will persuade GOP.

(SecDel heard briefly from Aram this morning that compromise proposals aired at dinner. He expressed uncertainty whether they acceptable to both governments.)2

Naim also reported discussion regarding propaganda problem. He said GOA did not regard Afghan public discussion what is happening to Pushtoons as “propaganda.” He apparently took position much GOA “propaganda” mere reaction to what GOA heard from Pakistani propaganda. But Naim said he had agreed not to attack Pakistani personalities in Afghan output.

Secretary said he much encouraged this report of progress in negotiations.3

Secretary explained US interests in Afghanistan’s freedom and “serenity” and showed how these important to US. An Afghanistan that is serene and free removes possible source of difficulty for US/Soviet relations.

Secretary discussed our firm interest in Afghanistan’s economic development but our inability to make commitments of contractual nature. Naim discussed possibly some misunderstanding of work commitment but expressed need for GOA know as precisely as possible areas it can expect US assistance for 5-year plan. Secretary indicated desire be as precise as possible; said we would see, after AID bill passed, how we may make more precise what we can say about assistance to 5-year plan. [Page 340] We hoped be as helpful as possible without making any commitments we cannot be sure to carry out. Throughout this portion of discussion Secretary stressed importance Afghan access to variety of countries in world as one determinant how helpful outside countries, especially US, could be toward 5-year plan.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 602.8990D/9-2962. Secret; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Tehran, Kabul, and Karachi.
  2. Rusk met with Iranian Foreign Minister Aram on October 5 and received a more complete account of the discussion that led to the compromise formula. Aram felt that it might prove difficult to persuade Ayub to accept the formula. He planned to recommend that the Shah send a message to Ayub supporting the proposed formula, and he suggested that it would be helpful if McConaughy was authorized to weigh in with Ayub in the same vein. (Memorandum of conversation, October 5; ibid., NEA/SOA Files: Lot 64 D 544, Naim Visit, Sept 1962)
  3. The Department of State’s position on the compromise formula brokered by Aram was outlined in telegram 599 to Karachi, October 4. The Department felt that favorable momentum pointing in the direction of the solution of the transit impasse should be encouraged. But in this instance, it was advisable for the United States to retreat into the background and let the three nations involved work out a solution. (Ibid., Central Files, 689.90D/10-462)