689.90D/2–1453: Telegram
The Ambassador in Afghanistan ( Ward ) to the Department of State 1
494. Embtel 484 (to Karachi 96) February 11.2 Conferred Foreign Minister today pm, Prime Minister absent at Jalalabad.
Foreign Minister brushed aside GOP Foreign Minister’s proposal as Pakistan attempt obtain GOA recognition pre-partition British-imposed frontier status and delimitation. He held forth in hour dissertation (without characteristic Afghan fiery emotionalism on Pashtunistan but nevertheless some approach thereto). Asserted no need for GOP discuss welfare people within Afghanistan. Maintained no “tribal people” today in Afghanistan along Durand line for reason people along line have precisely same status (except liability to military [Page 1391] service) as people elsewhere in Afghanistan. I mentioned Afghan people along line would benefit from GOA–GOP agreement and coordinated effort on defense, highways and other communications, trade, transit traffic, grazing rights et cetera, but in main did not advance arguments in light his evident oversensitivity. He asserted prerequisite any GOA–GOP discussions Pashtunistan must be Pakistan formal statement “political status people Pashtunistan is problem between two governments and will be discussed by governments concerned.” Although he inferred appointment Ambassador Karachi continues dependent on Pakistan willingness discuss Pashtunistan, although did not so state specifically, but did state GOA not contemplating such appointment. He stated Afghans aware Pashtun issue “disastrous” both GOA and GOP, but added “there are factors in life of a people higher than material welfare.” He evidenced no reaction to points set forth under 3 in second paragraph reference telegram.3 Concluded with emphasis “proposal Zafrullah Khan can never serve as basis for discussion between GOA and GOP.” Expressed GOA deep gratitude US for efforts bring about solution vexatious Pashtun problem.
- This telegram was repeated for information to Karachi.↩
- In telegram 484 from Kabul, the Embassy reported that the Pakistani Ambassador in Kabul saw no reason to delay the approach to the Afghan Foreign Ministry authorized in telegram 339 to Kabul, p. 1387. (689.90D/2–1153)↩
- Reference is to telegram 339, Feb. 9, p. 1387.↩