11. Telegram [text not declassified] to the Department of State1
98158. For Under Secretary Harriman eyes only. The following message was received [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] on 30 Jan 1964 from Ambassador Bowles for Under Secretary Harriman with information copies for Mr. McGeorge Bundy and Mr. John McCone. Copies are being sent to Mr. Bundy and Mr. McCone.
“When I left Washington late November, understanding was that Department would take initiative aimed at winning support, first in India and then in Pakistan, for autonomous Kashmir. You will recall that this decision was to be taken at high level, and not to be referred to in any but most tightly controlled communications. Need for this program has if anything become even greater in light developments of past six weeks. Deterioration in Indo-Pak relations so serious that chance of winning support in both countries for steps leading to modus vivendi has actually improved. During same period Indian Government has been forced consider seriously, as one means restoring popular rule Jammu and Kashmir, the release of Sheikh Abdullah, which would mean entire acceptance in principle of ultimate autonomy in some form. Time is ripe for careful covert campaign to bolster possibility such a step. Please let me know [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] present status of my November request.”
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 32–1 INDIA–PAK. Secret; Exdis.↩