174. Editorial Note
On September 30, the Pakistan-Afghanistan border dispute was discussed at a Department of State–Joint Chiefs of Staff meeting. According to a memorandum of the substance of discussions at the meeting, the following exchange took place:
“2. Pakistan and Afghanistan Border Dispute (State Initiative)
“Mr. Merchant said he wanted to flag another trouble spot to the JCS, the situation on the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. He said it looks as though the Afghans have made an infiltration into Pakistan. Up until a few days ago the Pakistani have been very relaxed but they were now disturbed over this development. Mr. Merchant wondered what the role of the USSR was in this, for it appeared that the Afghans did not have the amount of money available themselves to mount this kind of offensive. Then again, the situation may have been caused by one of those periodic tribal differences. In any event, we had instructed Ambassador Byroade to try to exercise restraint on the Afghan Government.
“He asked if the JCS had any views on this situation.
“General White said there was a lot of air movement in the area.
“General Lemnitzer agreed that we should keep an eye on the situation. He said the Pakistani constantly were referring to the Afghan problem in CENTO meetings.” (Department of State, State–JCS Meetings: Lot 70 D 328)