501.BC Kashmir/7-2148: Telegram

The [US] Chargé in India (Donovan) to the [US] Secretary of State

SECRET - NEW DELHI, July 2l,1948-4 p.m.

        595. From Chairman UN Commission Ind-Pak for President SC UN. UN commission [on] India-Pakistan during official conversations in Karachi was informed that three brigades [of] Pakistan troops are inside Kashmir frontiers. India has not been notified of this. Indian representatives strongly insist these troops be withdrawn as essential condition [of] cease-fire with which commission [was] concerned. Commission is informally sounding both governments concerning various solutions to dispute. Competent Indian officials indicate plebiscite this year [is] impracticable and that whole years prolongation [of] present crisis [as] dangerous. Karachi officials favor plebiscite having thus far made no reservations regarding possible delay. [To] Begin joint discussions with both governments [is] still premature. List of questions to both governments on military situation [is] prepared. Commission intends [to] go [to] Karachi after preliminary talks with Pakistan special representatives invited from Karachi to Delhi. No objections going [to] Srinagar, when appropriate, expected. Commission cordially and courteously received in Karachi and Delhi. Commission asks to treat this message [as] highly confidential for your internal information.

        Sent Department 595, repeated Karachi 124, and London.

        DONOVAN

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