When US tried a Puerto Rico on J&K

The State Department pointman in Delhi was the Second Secretary in the US Embassy, Edwin J. Pechaus, who sent feelers to several top government functionaries between December 1965 and March 1966 about a Puerto Rico-type `Commonwealth’ status for Kashmir to resolve the dispute. His contention being that, “if US could maintain control over Puerto Rico, why shouldn’t India follow the same example in Kashmir?”

In fact, a Washington Daily News correspondent, Richard H. Boyce, filed a story from Srinagar dated June 9, 1966 as part of the same action plan: “And despite the Tashkent Agreement of last December to settle their differences peaceably, no real progress has been made towards a Kashmir peace. Technically India was the aggressor last year. Although the Pakistan troops crossed the ceasefire line, Indian troops crossed the international border into Pakistan…. Indians think they dare not make any concessions on Kashmir for political reasons at home. Same motivation hardens Pakistan’s resolve not to give in….Privately high level Indian officials confide they have discussed a Puerto Rico type associated states for Kashmir — not fully an Indian state, but with some degree of internal self government though still belonging to India.”

This viewpoint was found vile and obnoxious by a section of the government since Kashmir was and is an integral part of India. So, what is the Puerto Rican formula that the American government was talking about? The Puerto Rican story may well be recounted. Over the years, it has retained its unique status as a `Commonwealth’ voluntarily associated with the US. The US-Puerto Rican Commission in 1966 conferred upon the people of Puerto Rico equal dignity with equality of status and of national citizenship.

The island, lodged like a jewel, 161 km long and 56 km wide, is wedged between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Puerto Rico remained a Spanish colony until 1898, when it was ceded to the US after the Spanish-American war. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917 and were given the right to elect the Puerto Rican legislative assembly. In 1947, the islanders were authorised to elect their own Governor by popular vote. In 1952, the US Congress granted Puerto Ricans the right to their own Constitution, elevating the island to the unique status of self-governing free Commonwealth associated with the US.

It needs to be mentioned that the Puerto Rican formula was explored when Jayprakash Narayan discussed the Kashmir situation with Sheikh Abdullah in a series of meetings in September 1966 in Kodaikanal where the latter was incarcerated since May 1965. It is believed that Sheikh saheb agreed with Jayprakash babu’s idea of a Kashmir settlement based on full autonomy, almost like the Sikkim-type political status. But this too never fructified.

With Puerto Ricans remaining suspended in a twilight zone, bothered by a question of identity, concerted nationalist efforts like `Operation Serenity’ have come forth to reassert Hispanic values. The moot point here remains that the US put forth the proposal of the Puerto Rican solution to carve out a sphere of influence for itself. Which mercifully was rejected by India.