893.24/1489: Telegram
The Personal Representative of President Roosevelt in India (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 16—3:25 p.m.]
32. The Foreign Secretary has confidentially given me the attitude of the British Government and the Government of India on the possible establishment of supply routes through Afghanistan (Department’s 701, December 10, 10 p.m.)
In essence it is to the effect that when the British and Soviet Governments requested that the Axis non-diplomatic nationals be deported from Afghanistan the Afghan Government required and received assurances in writing from the British and Soviet Governments that its acquiescence would not be followed by a demand for supply routes through Afghanistan; that the Grand Assembly subsequently in confirming the deportation resolved that under no conditions would the use of air or land routes be granted; and that an attempt to establish such routes might undermine the present regime in Afghanistan and lead to serious disorders.
He states that the British Minister at Kabul has been instructed to explain this attitude to Engert. Since the latter will doubtless telegraph the details I shall not do so unless so instructed.
Sent to Department. Repeated to Kabul.