Office of the Historian

501.BC Kashmir/1–1949: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Secretary of State

secret
London, January 19, 1949—7 p. m.

238. Department cirtel January 18, 7 p. m.1 When Embassy mentioned casually to Patrick2 today fact Department considering discontinuance informal arms embargo to GOI and GOP, Patrick opined [Page 1690] on strictly personal basis that in his view best psychological moment for discontinuance might be signature truce agreement. Patrick believes truce agreement and all other phases Kashmir problem should be pressed forward unremittingly and if this done he thought that with luck agreement might be signed by end February. Patrick explained that UK had never actually imposed arms embargo but instead has been telling each dominion what it gave other. He thought this practice would be continued but total arms released to GOI and GOP by UK have been only “trickle” and in apportioning arms UK has taken into account “only to very limited extent” fact GOP has not received its full share of old GOI arms.

2. Patrick mentioned that he was “worried” by communication (A–110,3 January 19) circulated by Pakistan High Commissioner here giving conditions under which GOP accepted UNCIP proposal. He thought this statement, which insists that Azad4 forces will not be disbanded and that Azad Kashmir Government would continue to administer territory now under control Pakistan Army, contains considerable “explosive material.” GOI obviously expects Azad forces to be disarmed and Patrick thought that if forces not disbanded they can not be disarmed. Hope situation, as Patrick sees problem is that right kind PA can issue orders and get them obeyed. What is essential now is to avoid either public or private discussions in theory between GOI and GOP and in this connection Patrick said he thought that UK High Commissioner both Delhi and Karachi would be instructed today to express this view in connection with Pakistan communication, Delhi making clear British hope that GOI will let Pakistan communication pass without comment.

Sent Department 238, repeated Karachi 3, New Delhi 7.

Holmes
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Sir Paul Joseph Patrick, Assistant Under-Secretary of State, India Office.↩
  3. Not printed.↩
  4. Irregular Pakistani and tribal forces in the Pakistan-controlled areas of Jammu and Kashmir state.↩