U. S. DELEGATION JAPANESE PEACE DELEGATION
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
September 4, 1951
SUBJECT: Visit of Sir Zafrulla Kahn, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pakistan
PARTICIPANTS: Sir Zafrulla Kahn and Secretary of State Dean Acheson
COPIES TO: S - Mr. Battle
After the customary greetings between the Secretary and Sir Zafrulla Kahn, the latter expressed the hope that the Conference would run a smooth course and not extend beyond the expected time scheduled and then inquired concerning the attitude the Soviets could be expected to take during the course of the projected plenary meetings. In reply the Secretary set forth his thoughts in regard to this and added that if adequate control would fail to be exercised over efforts to disturb the meeting or place obstacles in the way in the achieving of its purpose, it is conceivable to foresee that the Conference could deteriorate into chaos devoid of all dignity.
Sir Zafrulla, in mentioning the purpose of his visit, briefly set forth how he came to be asked by the Pakistani Prime Minister to spearhead his country's delegation. He said that it was felt that he (Zafrulla) should head the delegation even though his presence in Karachi could ill be spared. His government was bound to demonstrate, to the fullest extent it could, the importance Pakistan attached to the successful outcome of the Conference and wanted Sir Zafrulla to lead his delegation even though it might become necessary for him to return before the signing of the Treaty, in which case the Pakistan Ambassador in Washington could be authorized to sign.
Sir Zafrulla spent some time in setting forth what he thought of India's attitude in refusing to participate in the Conference; how that country seemed bent on having its own interpretation of problems facing it and Pakistan prevail, and questioned the logic of its objections to certain of the proposed Japanese Treaty provisions. He seemed to think that Mr. Nehru wanted to play the leading role in Asia which he must realize he could not accomplish successfully with China and Mao Tse Tung just to the north of India. He reported on the increasingly delicate situation evolving between Pakistan and India;
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and referred to Dr. Graham's visit to Pakistan and his conversations with the government, touching on proposals made by Dr. Graham; and emphasized Pakistan's uniformly conciliatory attitude in regard to the easing of border tension, the disposition of troops, their reduction in numbers and other important elements entering into this problem. From the way Sir Zafrulla talked the impression could be gained that Pakistan was doing everything it could to avoid an open break but that if eventually all of its efforts in this direction became of no avail it would have no other choice but accept its responsibilities to meet, in the best manner possible, whatever the eventual outcome would be. In this connection Sir Zafrulla mentioned that in addition to the fact that Pakistan is outnumbered militarily man for man, the Indians possessed mechanized military equipment and a number of factories producing small arms ammunition. Pakistan, on the other hand, was without such help and was unfortunately unable, with present defense facilities available to it, to produce a single cartridge.
In expressing his pleasure in having a talk with the Secretary once again, he voiced the hope that Mr. Acheson would become the permanent president of the Conference and thought that Mr. Spender would make a good vice- president.
The meeting lasted approximately 30 minutes.
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