357.AB/4–651: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the India 1
1629. Embtel 2626 Mar 30. Dept appreciates Emb’s observations re Kashmir.
We anticipated (your para 1) GOI wld strongly object to arbitration provision SC res and that this wld probably result GOI rejection res. However in view long history mediation efforts and delaying tactics GOI, we as well as majority SC members, of opinion arbitration provision as French Rep pointed out in his speech Mar 30 represents “the core of the draft.” It is significant that eight SC members in speeches announcing vote for res stressed need for arbitration in event mediation efforts again failed.
We believe chance success UN Rep greatly limited if GOI continues, as we expect (para 2), maintain present rigid position. UN Rep may, however, perform useful service defining clearly issues separating parties. Possibility remains, however remote, GOI may, if UN pressure sustained, revert to partition proposal made by Dixon and agree essential guarantees necessary free plebiscite in Vale.
Rau (para 4) stated his SC speech India wld confer UN Rep. However, Indian del member indicated India may request clarification of UN Reps reference terms by writing letter SC Pres.
In event UN Rep reports failure (para 5) his mission and attributes failure GOI attitude, next possible step might be that SC wld establish machinery work out detailed specific recommendations for solution, and then adopt res containing such recommendations. We are prepared to support such res provided terms are objective and fair even though it were clear India wld not accept res.
Dept concurs with and gratified by your comments Bajpai re Kashmir (Embtel 2691 Apr 5)
Dept proposes downgrade Embtel 2626 Mar 30 to Secret unless Emb objects.
- Repeated as telegram 831, to the U.S. Mission at the United Nations.↩