Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

780.5/11–1352: Circular telegram

No. 107
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Missions¹

secret

Washington, November 13, 1952—7:22 p.m.

544. Dept officially informed UK Govt proposes inform Pak Govt of MEDO proposals with explanation that if Pak desires come in as participating member proposed planning org it wld be welcome.² Fol is summary of document left with Dept by UK Emb stating UK position this subj.³

Begin summary. Assoc Pak in defense ME has always been object UK policy. Pak potentially has valuable contribution make to ME defense. It occupies strategic position great importance to control of Persian Gulf. Moreover Pak anxious play leading part among Moslem powers of ME and realizes disturbances in ME affects its own security.⁴

However soundings of GOP in past indicated that in their view it wld be difficult enter into any external commitments so long as Kashmir unsettled. Care will be needed therefore to avoid approaching Pak in such way to get definite negative reply which wld be embarrassing for future. It must be recognized also that in present circumstances amount practical assistance which Pak cld give wld be extremely limited.

MEDO offers opportunity ventilating with Pak possibility its assoc now or future date while avoiding difficulties with which proposal for full scale command org at this juncture wld have confronted GOP and UK. Moreover if Arab states are to be approached re MEDO Pak wld be affronted if UK did not take it equally into its confidence.

UK proposes therefore to inform GOP re MEDO proposals, explaining these proposals still under discussion between sponsor powers and that steps being taken to sound out attitude selected Arab states. UK HICOM Karachi wld also explain that if Pak desired come in as participating member MEDO it wld be welcome; but decision must be matter for Pak itself and if it felt it to be decision which it wld prefer postpone that wld be understood.

In view Ind gen policy “non alignment” Ind participation in MEDO does not arise. At same time it is important inform GOI at early stage what arrangements are proposed, not only on gen grounds but also because otherwise approach to GOP might give rise to dangerous rumors and suspicions in Ind. Apart from Ind fear that Western powers, in seeking to secure Pak coop, will strengthen Pak against Ind, latter has always been nervous of moves which might be regarded as tending to entangle subcontinent in Western-Sov struggle. It is probably not fully possible to dispel such suspicions but it is very desirable every effort shld be made insure Ind attitude toward MEDO and toward approach to Pak is not unfriendly. UK proposes therefore inform GOI informally of MEDO proposals and of communication made to Pak. It wld also inform Pak nature info given to Ind.

UK ready make these approaches to Pak and Ind at any time once process approaching Arab states begins but exact timing wld depend on circumstances. UK trusts there will be no objection on part sponsoring powers in proceeding along above lines. Similar communication will be made to govts of France, Turk, Austral, NZ and SoAfr. End summary.

Depts position re UK proposal has been communicated to UK Govt and is summarized as fols:

1. Dept plsd with UK proposal and if circumstances appropriate will be prepared support UK its approach. UK aware that GOP rep approached US during Jul 1952 re credit assistance of about 200 million dols for US arms.⁵ If question arms assistance arises between Pak and US in context Pak assoc with MEDO, Dept proposes to say that under present circumstances there obviously can be no firm program for 1954 FY but that US wld want to take into account in its future program for ME Paks participation.

2. Dept shares UKs concern over possibility unfav Ind reaction and also shares fully its desire minimize Ind suspicions. Dept therefore will welcome further consultations to this end; in meantime it agrees with UK proposal to inform Ind.

3. Info as to timing proposed talks with Ind and Pak will be appreciated. Dept considers approach to Pak might be made most appropriately at about time matter first discussed with Arab states. End summary.

Foregoing FYI and guidance if approached on subj by FonOff.⁶

Bruce

1. Sent to Karachi, New Delhi, London, Paris, Ankara, Canberra, Wellington, and Pretoria. Drafted by Metcalf and cleared by NE, NEA, GTI, BNA, SOA, S/MSA, and S/S–CR.
2. Two officers from the British Embassy called at the Department of State on Nov. 5 to present a memorandum containing proposals the United Kingdom was making to all the sponsoring powers of the Middle East Defense Organization regarding a proposed invitation to Pakistan to participate in NATO. (Memorandum of conversation, Nov. 5; 780.5/11–552)
3. The British memorandum entitled “Middle East Defence Organization,” not printed, is in PPS files, lot 64 D 563, “Near and Middle East, 1952–53”.
4. Telegram 808 from Ankara, Feb. 22, 1952, not printed, reported a conversation on Feb. 21 between Ambassador McGhee and Zafrullah Khan, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan who was visiting Turkey at the time. McGhee reported the Foreign Minister urged the Turks to show more sympathy for the Arab States; suggested closer consultation among the Moslem States, using the British Commonwealth as an example; and suggested a meeting of the Moslem Prime Ministers. (682.90D/2–2252) Telegram 1008 from Ankara, Apr. 3, not printed, suggested that initiative such as that taken by Pakistan in calling a meeting of the Moslem States, might be a stabilizing element in the Middle East if divorced from religion and based on solid political, strategic, economic, and cultural factors. (780.00/4–352) The proposed meeting of the Moslem States was not held.
5. For documentation, see vol. XI, Part 2, pp. 1818 ff.
6. The reply to this telegram from the Embassy in New Delhi is printed infra. Other replies are in Department of State file 780.5. Telegram 680 from Ankara, Nov. 21, not printed, transmitted the text of the Turkish reply to the British note, handed to the Embassy on Nov. 20. The Turkish reply stated it would be just and proper for the British to inform Pakistan about the Middle East Defense Organization, but it suggested that Pakistan not be invited to join because of possible strong adverse reactions from India and Afghanistan. (780.5/11–2152)