Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXV, South Asia

530. Telegram From the Embassy in Afghanistan to the Department of State¹

Kabul, March 3, 1965, 5 p.m.

481. Governor Harriman accompanied by Ambassador called on PriMin Yusuf March 2 for more than hour’s discussion bilateral problems and world issues.² PriMin expressed concern at slow rate progress Helmand Valley development and made strong plea for budgetary support assist RGA in its current financial difficulties. PriMin told Harriman he was concerned re continuing inflation and felt perhaps commodity loan assistance to soak up excess currency in circulation would be desirable. Yusuf added he aware USG concerned RGA spending inordinate amount on army and military procurement but noted only neighbor with which Afghanistan had any problem was Pakistan which had received considerable military assistance from USG.

Governor Harriman told PriMin question budgetary support was unpopular subject with Congress who had to derive funds from taxes levied on American people. He told PriMin we are continuing to see if there is any more efficient way of approaching our mutual aid problems, notably in the Helmand Valley. Harriman said he already aware RGA concern at pace HVA development, hoped to carry out aerial inspection of Helmand Valley March 3 prior leaving for New Delhi, and would upon his return Washington personally investigate whether anything more could be done to speed up work on the HVA project.

In response Governor’s question, PriMin stated Afghan relations very good with Soviet, ChiCom and Iranian neighbors. He added relations with Paks improving, noting this connection March 2 signature new five-year Pak-Afghan transit agreement. PriMin said he was not fully satisfied with agreement but felt it represented acceptable compromise.

Governor Harriman conveyed President’s greetings to PriMin and outlined President’s domestic programs and success President has had in promoting them. PriMin responded Afghans had great respect for what President has been able accomplish domestically and singled out action on civil rights for special approval.

In general discussion world problems, Harriman drew on his extensive experience with Soviets, explaining Communism has made industrial progress, but that system has conspicuously failed produce adequate food. Governor speculated this was due character farm work which requires hardworking individuals with personal stake in operation, rather than hourly paid factory hands paced by machine. PriMin commented he impressed by effectiveness cooperatives which he had seen during his recent visit India and remarked he also understood Egyptian cooperatives highly effective. Harriman replied Egyptians would be better off if Nasser spent more time on internal matters and less on foreign adventures such as assistance Congo rebels. PriMin noted Tshombe highly unpopular among non-aligned states. Harriman told PriMin Tshombe was probably in fact second most popular Congolese among his countrymen, most popular being Lumumba who dead. Whether or non-aligned states doubted Tshombe’s internal popularity or disliked him personally was no excuse for intervention in Congolese internal affairs. To drive this point home Harriman asked PriMin how he would take it if intruders tried to promote his removal in Afghanistan. PriMin Yusuf got the point and did not have any reply. PriMin opined effort should be made reach political settlement, to which Harriman responded this had been consistent USG objective but fact was OAU had proved ineffective so far. We were hopeful of results from new Nouakchott group.

On Vietnam, Harriman stressed as he had in press statement on arrival that problem would be solved if North Vietnamese would stop intervening in SVN affairs. PriMin took standard RGA line expressing concern at possibility widening conflict and hope political settlement could be worked out.

Comment: Conversation was frank but cordial throughout. PriMin was unabashed in his presentation for additional USG economic aid which constitutes further indication country’s current difficulties. Believe opportunity provided by Governor’s visit for extended wide-ranging talks such as foregoing, which continued at dinner residence evening March 2 with PriMin and six members Cabinet, most useful in underlining USG views on world problems to highest levels RGA.³

Steeves

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 7 US/HARRIMAN. Confidential. Repeated to Karachi and New Delhi.
2. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman visited Kabul March 2–3 en route to the Far East Chiefs of Mission Conference in Baguio, Philippines. His March 16 report to the President is in the Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Israel, Harriman Israeli Mission II. Harriman also called on the King on March 2. A report of this conversation is in telegram 480 from Kabul, March 3. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 7 US/HARRIMAN)
3. In a follow-up telegram to Secretary Rusk from New Delhi, Harriman observed that U.S. relations with Afghanistan were developing satisfactorily, but that the major problem was delay in AID program decisions, which the Afghans interpreted as indicating a lack of genuine U.S. interest, and which they contrasted with “prompt and open handed decisions” by the Soviets. He added, “There is no doubt that the King and other ministers look on us as strong anchor to windward. However, Prime Minister is, I feel, a bit too trustful of Soviets’ continuing friendship and goodwill.” (Telegram 2485 from New Delhi, March 4; ibid., POL AFG–US)