Office of the Historian

248. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Afghanistan0

Washington, January 30, 1963, 7:29 p.m.

201. Deptel 196 to Kabul,1 1124 to Karachi, 550 to Tehran, 3939 to London, 1727 to Bonn. In view recent policy decisions set forth reftel and [Page 487] fact that our previous efforts have been unproductive we have decided to make no further exercise of US good offices in connection transit impasse for present. Good offices should be considered inactive except in unlikely event of major shift by either party. Should GOP or RGA raise question you can reply that US stands ready to assist if mutually agreeable. We of course continue to hope for resolution because we believe it to be in interest of both parties.

We do not wish to discourage Iranian efforts because while we not optimistic their outcome they at least provide useful communications channel between disputants. Therefore GOI should not be informed of our decision deactivate US good offices. We should continue maintain close and sympathetic contact with Iranian activity this matter.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.89/1-3063. Secret. Drafted by Carle, cleared with GTI, and approved by Grant. Also sent to Karachi and Tehran and repeated to London and Bonn.↩
  2. Document 246.↩