Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971
Document 161
161. Telegram From
the Department of State
to
the Embassy in Pakistan
1
Washington
,
October 8, 1971, 0044Z
.
Tosec 101/185011. Eyes Only Chargé. Ref: 185010.
2
Subject: Letter from President
Yahya
.
Following is text of letter from President
Yahya
to President
Nixon
, and accompanying aide mémoire, delivered to Dr.
Kissinger
October 6 by Pakistan
MFA
Additional Secretary Alvie:
Begin text of letter
.
Mr. President,
Persistent intervention in my countryʼs internal affairs by India, its refusal to resolve the humanitarian problem of the displaced persons with the help and assistance of the United Nations as originally proposed by Dr.
Kissinger
during his talks with me last July, later formally proposed by
U Thant
, and promptly accepted by us, and the increasing violations of Pakistanʼs borders by the Indian Armed Forces, have created a warlike situation between Pakistan and India.
Moreover, all available evidence indicates that Indian Armed Forces have been put in a state of readiness and moved to forward positions for offensive action at short notice against our frontiers in both the wings.
3
In these circumstances, and because India has rejected the United Nations observers and good offices, the present situation in the India– Pakistan sub-continent constitutes a threat to international peace and security and an armed conflict between the two countries is likely to erupt if it is not brought under control immediately. It, therefore, appears appropriate that the United Nations Security Council should consider this matter in order to avert in time the impending blood-shed and destruction.

In our discussions with the Russians in Moscow last month, they conveyed assurances that India would not start a conflict and added that they were exercising restraining influence on India. Unfortunately, the facts are quite different. The bulk of Indian Forces have moved in operational positions against our borders after the signing of Indo-Soviet Treaty and there has also been a marked increase in shelling and raids on our territory since then. Apparently, the Indians are either not amenable to Soviet advice or are deliberately misleading them.
Confident of the friendship between our two countries and your personal concern for peace in the region, I would request that the United States Government extend the necessary help and assistance to my country in this grave hour with a view to facilitating an urgent consideration of the situation by the Security Council and for a constructive decision and positive action by it.
In case, Mr. President, you deem that some other course of international action at this stage would be more helpful, I shall be grateful to be apprised of it. It only remains for me to assure you that we repose the utmost confidence in your judgement.
With warm personal regards.
End text
.
Begin text of aide mémoire
.
Pakistan is considering to call a meeting of the Security Council to consider serious threat to peace in the sub-continent arising from Indiaʼs open and mounting interference in Pakistanʼs internal affairs and ever-increasing Indian military activities on Pakistanʼs borders. In view of special relations existing with the United States and particularly with President
Nixon
President
Yahya Khan
wishes to apprise President
Nixon
of his intention so as to seek American support and influence in the Security Council.
India continues to refuse to resolve the humanitarian problem of the displaced persons with the help and assistance of the United Nations as originally proposed by Dr.
Kissinger
himself and later formally proposed by
U Thant
and accepted by Pakistan. A war-like situation has thus developed between Pakistan and India. Despite assurances of restraining influence on India, the Indo-Soviet Treaty seems to have further emboldened India in her aggressive and bellicose designs against Pakistan. In fact Indian forces have moved into operational position after the signing of the Indo-Soviet treaty. President
Yahya Khan
wishes to request President
Nixon
for full American support and assistance to Pakistan in the urgent consideration of the situation by the Security Council and for a constructive decision and positive action by it. President
Yahya Khan
would be grateful to know any other course of international action which President
Nixon
may consider helpful. President
Yahya Khan
has the utmost confidence in President
Nixon
ʼs

judgement. Since the matter is of utmost urgency, President
Yahya Khan
will appreciate a reply to his enclosed message.
End text
.
2. In carrying out instructions
reftel
you should also inform
Yahya
that his letter has been delivered to President
Nixon
and that reply will be forthcoming shortly.
4
FYI
. In preliminary comment
Kissinger
suggested there might be problems in unilateral Pakistan call for Security Council meeting but noted (per last para aide mémoire) that other courses of action might be helpful. See also Secretaryʼs conversation with Mahmood Ali reported
septel
.
5
End
FYI
.
Johnson
Contents
Preface
Sources
Abbreviations