Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI, Part 2

357.AB/9–851: Telegram

The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary of State

top secret
priority

New Delhi, September 8, 1951—noon.

897. 1. Had talk with Graham this morning at airport when he was departing. I said Dept apparently anxious have opportunity consult with him in New York before he makes report to SC. He said he wld like have such consultation and indicated that in meantime report wld be prepared in Geneva. I said Dept also understood his report to SC wld be of “interim” nature in order that situation may not be completely frozen. He said every effort wld be made see that report was of such character as not “freeze” situation. Nevertheless his report in that sense wld be official account of mission and not merely preliminary to another report (Deptel 538, Sept. 6).¹

2. If FonOff had report over week ago that Graham planned return US this report was without foundation. Graham did not make decision return US until after his talk Sept 4 with Nehru (Deptel 540, Sept 6).² As reported Graham had in mind prepare concrete integrated plan. Number points in it not specified. During recent days he has changed his mind and instead submitted doc containing Nr of points which he invited each govt discuss point by point. He has not told us Nr or content these points. We are inclined believe GOP did not know until yesterday contents of doc prepared by Graham and that any info which it has passed onto London was based on supposition rather than on knowledge.

3. Graham told me Nehru has neither promised nor refused to comment on various points contained in doc. He told Graham however doc wld require careful study and cld not be immediately answered. Graham told him he was leaving behind member party at least until Sept 12 to receive reply.

Rptd info Karachi 59.

Henderson

1. Telegram 538, to New Delhi, not printed, but see footnote 2, p. 1831.
2. Telegram 540, to New Delhi, repeated as telegram 273, to Karachi, transmitted the text of telegram 1220 from London, September 5 (p. 1830), and inquired whether the Embassy had any information concerning Graham’s reported twelve-point plan.