55. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan0
860. For Ambassador Merchant. Following message approved by President for delivery to Ayub by Embassy Karachi at discretion Ambassador Merchant.1
“November 2, 1961
Dear Mr. President:
I am sending you this personal note because of my deep conviction that only your statesmanship can point the way to a resolution of the serious [Page 121] situation which now exists between your country and Afghanistan. I have been grateful to you for receiving Ambassador Merchant, and I hope you will understand this more personal message.
The factors involved in this difficult problem are of course more familiar to you than to me, and it is not in the spirit of our alliance for me to attempt to press my judgment upon you. Nonetheless, I do venture to put before you the thought that your own stature as a statesman, and the strength of your country, may both make it possible for you, in this situation, to take the large-minded and forgiving course, without any risk that such a decision would be misinterpreted as weakness. Can you not take the lead, as a strong neighbor, secure in his power and sure in his judgment, by authorizing the re-establishment of consulates—or other arrangements of comparable significance—which would assure the early resumption of trade and traffic between your country and Afghanistan?
You must be concerned, I know, with serious questions of opinion among your own people, and I understand the complexities which attend your relations with Afghanistan. But from the point of view of our common interest in limiting the further spread of Communist influence, there does seem to me to be real danger in sustained interruption of Afghan freedom of transit. Your country and mine, accustomed to our access to the sea, do not face the problem which land-locked states so sensitively feel. It would be dangerous for all of us if Afghanistan, in a search for alternatives, were forced into excessive dependence on its northern neighbor.
Let me repeat, in closing, that I write quite personally, on the strength of our friendship and understanding. I understand and respect the fact that the authority and responsibility here are yours. Needless to say, if your judgment takes you on a different course it will have no effect on our very warm friendship. I have wanted, however, to share with you in this private way my sense of the opportunity which your personal qualities make possible, at a time of serious difficulty.
Ambassador Merchant remains at your disposal for the exercise of our good offices in whatever way may be effective.
With the warmest personal regards,
Sincerely, John F. Kennedy”
If delivered, President desires message treated as privileged communication between heads of state with no publicity.2
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 689.90D/11-361. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted and approved by Veliotes (S/S). A note on the source text indicates that the text of the letter was received from Bromley Smith at the White House. Also sent to Kabul.↩
- The letter was proposed by the Department of State in light of reports received from Merchant that his second round of discussions with the Pakistanis had not gone well. (Memorandum from Battle to McGeorge Bundy, November 2; Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Trips and Conferences Series, Merchant Trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan, 10/61-11/61) Merchant reported on his October 31 conversation with Foreign Minister Qadir in telegrams 790 and 798 from Karachi, November 1 and 2. Merchant found Qadir firmly opposed to the concept of liaison officers, and to stationing additional Afghan officials in Pakistan positioned to conduct the same type of activities that had caused the closure of the consulates and trade agencies. (Department of State, Central Files, 120.1590/11-161 and 689.90D/11-261)↩
- In telegram 333 from Karachi, November 3, Merchant indicated that he felt the decision concerning whether to deliver the letter to Ayub should await the outcome of his talks in Kabul on November 4. (Ibid., 689.90D/11-361)↩