127. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, March 19, 19571
SUBJECT
- Pushtunistan Question
PARTICIPANTS
- Mr. Christian A. Herter, Under Secretary
- Mr. Najib-Ullah, Ambassador of Afghanistan2
- Mr. J. Jefferson Jones, III, SOA
After greeting the Ambassador, the Under Secretary spoke of the continuing interest of the United States in cooperating with Afghanistan to develop its economy and to strengthen its independence. The Ambassador replied that he deeply appreciated the statement of the Under Secretary.
The Under Secretary then stated that we had been most pleased to see the progress which had been made in solving the differences between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Ambassador commented that his Government wished to settle as soon as possible its differences with its neighbor to the south. The Afghan Government greatly appreciated the efforts of the United States in this connection. Fortunately the problems between Afghanistan and Pakistan were still under control. There were many more acute problems in the world today. Nevertheless, the outstanding issues between the two countries led to friction between them and it was therefore highly desirable to continue the efforts to arrive at a real settlement. These problems should be settled before they became more difficult, and it was for this reason that the Afghan Government was so grateful when the President of the United States took action last year to open up new avenues for settlement.
Continuing, the Ambassador said that one of the most important steps in solving the outstanding problems between the two countries was to remove Pakistani suspicions of the motives of the Government of Afghanistan. The problem between Afghanistan and Pakistan was not like that of Kashmir, which was claimed by both parties. It was also not so serious as the problem between the Israelis and the Arabs.
The Under Secretary expressed his pleasure at the opportunity of meeting Mr. Najib-Ullah and expressed the hope that they would see each other again.