176. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan0
643. Karachi’s 713.1 Based on uncleared memcons. Following capsule version both conversations may prove useful.
Secretary
Mohammed Ali discussed three points with the Secretary: (1) SEATO; (2) Kashmir; (3) Pak-Afghan transit.
(1) SEATO
Mohammed Ali explained he had deliberately missed SEATO lunch because venue implied luncheon was an official meeting rather than an informal gathering. Secretary commented on necessity Foreign Ministers utilizing such opportunities as UNGA offered to get together, and [Page 345] regretted any misunderstanding that had arisen over nature of luncheon meeting.
(2) Kashmir
Mohammed Ali emphasized necessity US pressure on India to move towards settlement. Secretary doubted we could apply effective pressure and speculated on the feasibility of: (1) Commonwealth action; or (2) UN action leading towards joint administration of Kashmir. Secretary also asked whether Kashmir issue not simply symptom of deeper communal problem between Pakistan and India. Mohammed Ali rejected this suggestion, and said both countries would welcome with tremendous enthusiasm and relief a solution to Kashmir. Secretary said US would have another look at the problem.
(3) Pak-Afghan Transit
Mohammed Ali said he had found Naim “inflexible” in his insist-ence on return to status quo ante. He believed, however, that railspurs should be built as these would eliminate trade agency problem. As Pak-Afghan subject was raised only briefly, Dept later checked with Mohammed Ali to see whether he had arrived at any kind of understanding with Naim and Aram in New York. He said he has agreed to present a formula to Ayub. His formula differs from that reported by Naim and Aram in timing—i.e., consulates are not to be opened until after railspurs completed, but still appears negotiable.
President
Mohammed Ali discussed three points with the President: (1) Pak-Afghan transit; (2) Pak-Chicom border talks; and (3) Kashmir. Meeting ended with brief private talk.
1. Pak-Afghan Transit
President bore down hard on necessity keeping negotiations alive in Tehran. Mohammed Ali reiterated that Naim was being “inflexible” but confirmed he had sent formula back to Ayub.
2. Pak-Chicom Border Talks
Mohammed Ali at first noted “my enemy’s enemy is my friend,” thus implicitly admitting that GOP was using negotiations as means of putting pressure on India. Mohammed Ali then voiced familiar line on subject—saying that all GOP wanted was remove possible threat of border trouble with Chicoms. President emphasized that threat of Communist bloc overlies Pakistan as well as India. Admitted that all countries do not view danger alike and it important that those who do work together even though others like neutrals were getting “a free ride.” Mohammed Ali welcomed this point of view which he said Pakistan shared.
[Page 346]3. Kashmir
Mohammed Ali reiterated strong plea he had made to Secretary, and solicited US public statement of support but ensuing discussion resulted in no agreement as to possible further steps.
Summary
Both meetings frank and hard-hitting but cordial, and Mohammed Ali obviously anxious convince us that he is still on our side, though concerned about his own political future and problems raised by his pro-American reputation.
Dept believes you should concentrate with Ayub on: (1) necessity keeping momentum on Pak-Afghan problem going by authorizing Mohammed Ali go to Tehran for further negotiations; and (2) excellent opportunity presented by recent Indian overtures for Ministerial-level discussions on outstanding Indo-Pak issues.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790D.11/10-1662. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by Gatch, cleared by Laise, and approved by Talbot.↩
- In telegram 713, October 16, McConaughy asked for summaries of Foreign Minister Ali’s recent conversations with President Kennedy and Secretary Rusk. (Ibid.) According to an October 15 briefing memorandum from Brubeck to McGeorge Bundy, Ali met with Rusk on October 13 and with Kennedy on October 15. (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Pakistan, General, 10/62)↩