16. Telegram 7137 From the Embassy in Afghanistan to the Department of State1 2

Subj:

  • Pak-Afghan Relations

Summary: The Afghans November 9 returned the Pak helicopter which was captured last August. GOP propaganda against the Afghan leadership however seems to be increasing in virulence and GOA alleges that fighting has resumed in Baluchistan and that some refugees now entering Afghanistan. We recommend Embassy Islamabad be instructed to urge GOP to reduce level and tone of its propaganda.

1.
GOA announced November 9 it had returned the Pak helicopter captured last August.
2.
Pak Bharge in Kabul (Crd Seuqrotect) has brought to our attention his concern over what seems to him a recent increase in the inflammatory rhetoric directed at Afghanistan from Pakistan. He says this of particular concern to him in the wake of Secretary Kissinger’s visit and what he regards as a distinct effort on the part of the Afghans to tone down propaganda directed at Pakistan. He noted in addition that GOA had been “very decent indeed” over the last two weeks in helping make the arrangements for the chopper’s return.
3.
Separately, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has brought to our attention a particularly obnoxious piece of broadcasting which the MFA says was carried by Radio Quetta on November 3, 1974: “In Afghanistan, Sardar Sahib is known under the name of “the crazy Sardar”, and the “master of the crematory”. during the 14 months of his rule in the country, there has been no progress whatsoever in Afghanistan. Master of the crematory, Sardar does not believe [Page 2] in Islam or the republic or in humanity. His sole objective was to seize power by force…. There is a joke among the witty young Afghans by which Sardar Daoud in reality has died from a mental sickness and in his place the military group has put a mute resembling Daoud Khan. If not, how is it possible that all the discussions with the American Secretary of State, Dr. Kissinger, were done by Sardar Naim, and he had only lunch with Sardar Daoud Khan?”…
4.
DepFonMin Abdullah November 11 told Ambassador and visiting desk officer Schifferdecker that he has reports that fighting has resumed in Baluchistan. As a result, he said, refugees are beginning to enter Afghanistan. In response to a question, he said that 228 refugees had arrived as of November 1 despite Pakistani effort to stop the outflow. He said the refugees will be quartered near Kandahar, adding that they were telling stories of atrocities such as GOP military murdering women and children. Abdullah said that he had suggested to a visiting Times of India correspondent that he interview some of these refugees.
5.
Comment and recommendation: We are as yet unable to verify reports of refugee influx but stories are now appearing in Afghan press. Regarding Pakistani propaganda, we believe it would be helpful if Embassy Islamabad would weigh in with GOP in an attempt to reduce its level and virulence.
Eliot
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 84, Islamabad Embassy Files: Lot 77 F 114, Decentralized Subject Files, 1973–74, Pakistan/Afghanistan, July–December. Confidential; Limdis. It was repeated to Islamabad, Tehran, and New Delhi. U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Henry Byroade deprecated the Kabul Embassy’s suggestions in telegram 10791 of November 14. (Ibid.) The Department agreed with both viewpoints but the next day, in telegram 252746, advised that the two embassies urge restraint without drawing attention to specific propaganda attacks. (Ibid.)
  2. Citing a recent incident in which a Pakistani helicopter landed in Afghanistan and was seized by Afghan authorities, the Embassy noted an intensification of the Pushtunistan dispute. It urged the Department and Islamabad Embassy to advise Pakistan to moderate the tone of its statements on Afghanistan. The Embassy also reported that refugees from Baluchistan had entered Afghan territory.