Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XIX, South Asia

301. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Afghanistan⁰

Washington, May 27, 1963, 7:12 p.m.

330. Ambassador should deliver following message to King Zahir at earliest opportunity:

“Your Majesty: I have just received a report from Ambassador Holmes in Tehran¹ regarding the discussions there between your representative and the Pakistan Foreign Minister being held under Iranian auspices.² According to Ambassador Holmes, the two sides have reached agreement on every substantial point. The only question outstanding is the wording of the final communique which will spell out the nature of the agreement that has been reached. As I understand the situation, Pakistan has agreed to a complete resumption of normal relations as they were before September 6, 1961, including the reopening of Afghan offices in the former Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan. Pakistan understandably wishes reassurance that the two sides can expect one another to agree to refrain from actions against the maintenance of friendly relations, and the Iranian Foreign Minister has proposed language incorporating this thought for inclusion in the communique.³

I am taking the unusual step of communicating with you directly on an urgent basis in order that this opportunity for the honorable resolution of your transit difficulties with Pakistan not be lost. I would hope Your Majesty would consider authorizing your representative in Tehran to accept the language proposed by the Iranian Foreign Minister and to agree to the issuance of the joint communique.

We are looking forward to Your Majesties’ visit this September. With warm regards, Sincerely, John F. Kennedy”

Ambassador should inform Tehran on urgent basis that message has been delivered. Ambassador Holmes then authorized inform Aram and Bhutto of nature foregoing message.

Rusk

0. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Afghanistan, Subjects, King Zahir Correspondence, 1961-1963. Secret; Emergency; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Gatch, cleared with GTI and by the President, and approved by Talbot. Also sent to Tehran and repeated to Karachi.
1. Telegram 1035 from Tehran, May 27. (Department of State, Central Files, POL AFG-PAK)
2. In telegram 1012 from Tehran, May 20, the Embassy reported that prospects for an agreement to end the transit dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan had improved as a result of Iranian mediation to the point of agreement on Ministerial negotiations in Tehran. Pakistan was represented by Bhutto in the negotiations, which began on May 24. The Afghan representative was M.Q. Rishtiya, Minister of Press and Information. (Ibid.)
3. At issue, according to telegram 1035 from Tehran, was the question of propaganda. The Afghan delegation initially accepted the language proposed by Foreign Minister Aram, but after consulting with Kabul, refused to accept it.