691.93/1–2251: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Secretary of State 1
4039. UKHC New Delhi has reported to Foreign Office he has learned from entirely reliable sources outside External Affairs tone of Panikkar’s reporting has undergone change in recent weeks. Whereas previously, Panikkar had been optimistic about future Chinese developments and inclined put best possible gloss on Chinese behavior, he has reluctantly reached conclusion Chinese drunk with success and becoming quite impossible to deal with. Panikkar unhappy over prospect for future good relations not only between China and rest of world, but especially between China and India. As indicative Panikkar’s changed thinking, he was quoted as stating in telegram on cease-fire proposals received New Delhi week ago he did not think Peiping would “make disastrous mistake of turning down UN Offer”.
Informal Foreign Office comment is External Affairs may be losing patience with CPG and there may be showdown on Nehru’s return New Delhi.
Sent Department 4039, repeated info New Delhi 126.
- A notation on the source text indicated that this message was referred to the Office of Chinese Affairs which called it to the attention of Messrs. Merchant and Rusk.↩