690D.91/7–1751: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
priority
100. Re: India–Pakistan: UKDel has received request from London for views re possible SC action to get UN observers into Kashmir and Punjab areas where build-up of GOI forces is known to exist. Reply was sent off this morning in following sense:
No procedural difficulty exists in having SC consider situation under Kashmir item since technical title of item is India–Pakistan. Also recommendation could be adopted for group of observers to be sent to areas in question, but same objections to council meeting on this subject as were found sufficient in constituent assembly instance apply in this case also. Such meeting would drag in whole Kashmir debate and destroy chances of Graham mission succeeding. Why could Graham not take this matter up with India and also discuss with Karachi rumors of Pakistan build-up in Kashmir, since both states complained that the other is reinforcing its forces in Kashmir? Reduction of forces is integral part of Graham mission to effect demilitarization. Suggestion made therefore that Syg order one of cosponsors privately bring this suggestion to Graham’s attention, keeping matter confidential and at all costs out of SC. If Graham wanted, US and UK might consider diplomatic back stopping.
Our reaction to this suggestion is unfavorable. We think Graham is old enough to know facts of life and needs no advice. He would probably resent such advice. Furthermore, diplomatic backstopping would probably be resented by India since it feels already US and UK biased toward Pakistan and reluctant take Pakistan to task for jehad and other inflammatory talk. In addition such diplomatic action [Page 1777] would make Graham appear to be simply stooge of Anglo-Saxons and would prejudice his status, if not ruin it.
Our suggestion would be that US and/or UK reps in New Delhi or Karachi on suitable occasion mention to Graham our anxiety over troops build-up, especially in Kashmir, but also in Punjab because of contribution it makes to Indo-Pakistan tension and consequent increase in difficulty of bringing two countries to agreement on Kashmir.
If Dept instruct soonest we shall try to convince British neither FO proposal (which we dislike as much as UKDel does) nor UKDel suggestion is wise.