501.BC Kashmir/7-2148: Telegram

The United States Representative on the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (Huddle) to the [US] Secretary of State

SECRET - NEW DELHI, July 2l, 1948-2 p.m.

        594. Comkas 14. In pursuance [of] efforts [to] find basis [of] agreement [in] parties on cease-fire (Comkas 11) Commission despatched Lozano, Adams Karachi July 17 discuss subject Pakistan Foreign Minister. Informally Zafrullah indicated three minimum conditions [to] cease-fire (1) withdrawal Indian troops (2) consideration [of] views [of] Azad forces, (3) protection [of] Moslem population in areas evacuated [by] Indian troops. Zafrullah agreed [to] endeavor [to] obtain views [of] Azad forces and suggested that following withdrawal [of] Indian troops law and order be maintained [in] Moslem areas by Moslem troops and non-Moslem areas by non-Moslems, both forces officered by neutral.

        Zafrullah said GOP categorically denies legality [of] Kashmir accession [of] India and stated Pakistan troops had more right [to] enter Kashmir in support [of the] majority [of] population than had Indian troops. Said Pakistan troops entered Kashmir to prevent occupation by Indian Army [in] strategic points essential [to] defence [of] Pakistan; to prevent occupation [of] all Kashmir by Indian Army so as to present Commission fait accompli; and to forestall mass influx [of] refugees fleeing [in] advance [of] Indian Army. Zafrullah said GOP absolutely would not agree [to a] partition saying possession [of] Jammu by India would create [an] exposed flank [of] Pakistan frontier. Zafrullah said Pakistan Army would withdraw [from] Kashmir if Indian Army would do likewise.

        In informal conversations, Nehru has indicated Indian troops would withdraw some distance if Pakistan troops evacuated Kashmir but would insist holding certain strategic points against tribal incursions. He also wants [an] announcement by Commission [for] withdrawal [of] Pakistan troops as minimum recognition [of] guilt [of] Pakistan and validity [of] Indian complaint. While he would not insist [on] area evacuated [by] Pakistan troops be occupied [by] Indian troops[,] Nehru has indicated he wants authority [of] state government over all Kashmir recognized. Czechoslovak representative reports Nehru unwilling [to] delay settlement one year as probably required by plebiscite and appears inclined [to] accept partition along present line Indian troops.

        Formal Indian statement conditions cease-fire expected shortly. Meanwhile Commission adopted resolution [of] twentieth requesting GOP designate representative [to] come [to] Delhi [to] discuss cease-fire.

        Commission currently thinking [of] cease-fire along present front [of] opposing forces or slight withdrawal [of] both sides. In anticipation agreement Commission adopted resolution [of] twentieth requesting SYG UN be requested [to] supply observers." Resolution also requested SYG appoint third country officer [of] high rank as military adviser [for] Commission. Commission informing SYG it believes appointment [of] General Lloyd [to] this post questionable in view [of] announcement [of] his consideration [as] plebiscite administrator.

        Military subcommittee consisting [of] Lozano, Captain Graeffe, Major Smith, Samper with Symonds adviser had prepared [a] list [of] questions on military situation [of] Jammu Kashmir before and after cease-fire to clarify actual conditions. Indian Army officials who on sixteenth appeared before Commission to give summary [of] military events [in] Kashmir endeavored [to] establish presence [of] Pakistan troops [in] Kashmir which GOP had not yet admitted GOI. Commission planning [to] inform SC presence [of] these troops [in] Kashmir but primarily on basis [of] Zafrullah's admission to delegates.

        USRep planning [to] propose [to] Commission that military subcommittee proceed [to] Kashmir soon as feasible. Full Commission expects [to] proceed Kashmir following discussions Karachi.

        Sent Department 594; repeated Karachi 123 Department pass London from Delhi.

        [HUDDLE]

From: US Department of State. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948. Volume V, part 1. Washington DC: Government Printing Office, 1975, 351-353.