Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971
Document 54
54. Telegram From
the Consulate General in Karachi
to
the Department of State
1
Karachi
,
May 22, 1971, 2050Z
.
1186. From the Ambassador. Subj: East Pakistan Refugees in India. Ref: State 085973,
2
Islamabad 04872
3
(Notal); State 87878;
4
State 089635
5
(Notal).
1.
I met with President
Yahya Khan
at the Presidentʼs house in Karachi on Saturday, May 22 at 1830 hours. During hour and half

long conversation which ensued, I discussed with
Yahya
, among other subjects which are reported by
septel
s, the urgent matter of East Pakistan refugees in India.
2.
This subject was introduced by my comments to the effect that the continuing influx of refugees from East Pakistan into India currently appeared to be the single most likely cause of escalation of Indo-Pak tensions. I pointed out that
GOI
ʼs current estimates indicated that there were now over two and a half million East Pakistani refugees in India and that the total was being swelled by approximately one hundred thousand additional refugees per day. I noted that, while these figures might well be subject to further scrutiny, the
UN
High Commissioner for Refugees representative, having recently completed survey of the refugee situation, had termed the refugee problem as he saw it to be “monumental” and one which required a major international relief effort.
3.
After further general discussion of the subject, I pointed out to
Yahya
that the
USG
is very much concerned by the continuation of the refugee flow from East Pakistan into India for two reasons: (a) the broad humanitarian aspects of the matter; and (b) the threat to regional stability which the refugee presence and current daily increase thereto poses. I made note that the possibility of communal disorders in the refugee camp areas is a very real and pressing danger. The conversation continued with my observation that without the creation of normal conditions in the East, a renewed sense of physical security among the Hindu community,
6
and a patent movement with substance behind it toward a peaceful political accommodation, it could be reasonably expected that the refugee problem will continue. I added that we have been urging restraint on the Indians, emphasizing the need to de-politicize the refugee question. It is our impression that the Indians want the people to return to their homes and are deeply concerned about the potentially harmful impact of the refugee influx, especially on West Bengal.
4.
With this as background I strongly urged that the President take the constructive step of personally issuing a statement to the effect that
GOP
was seized with the matter of international humanitarian relief assistance; was actively involved in improving food distribution in East Pakistan; was attempting to effect political reconciliation through the East wing; and would seriously welcome the early return of refugees, a welcome enforced by the grant of general amnesty to those free of capital crime who had fled to India. I stated that coupled with measures toward peaceful accommodation with Bengalis and the return to more normal conditions in East Pakistan such a statement, emanating from President himself, could serve as an important element in encouraging refugees, including Hindus, to return to their homes in the East. It would also testify to the
GOP
ʼs good intentions with regard to finding a resolution to the refugee problem. Also I made note of the fact that by putting the above courses of action in one general statement he would have real impact thus helping
GOP
world-wide position much more dramatically than dribbling out various actions on piecemeal basis.
Yahya
was left well aware that this suggestion was made with idea in mind of helping him improve his and his governmentʼs whole public posture throughout the world.
5.
Having said this, I indicated that the
USG
would be interested in any views that the
GOP
might have on how the refugee flow could be checked.
6.
President
Yahya
said that he tended to disagree with
GOI
ʼs current estimate that there were now over two and one-half million East Pakistani refugees in India, but that the
GOP
was aware of the fact that a substantial number of people had crossed the border and that the problem was both real and substantial. He went on to argue however that over the past three or four years there had been an influx of “refugees” into East Pakistan in a number approximating a half a million people and that this movement had neither been admitted by India nor bemoaned by the world press.
7.
President
Yahya
stated that he appreciated fully the
USG
ʼs concern in the refugee flow for the reasons which I had stated. He was defensive, however, concerning my observed possibility of communal disorders in the refugee camp areas, saying that
GOI
made so little of communal disorders that it had found it convenient not even to answer his governmentʼs notes of protests. Also, while discussing this subject, President
Yahya
reiterated the
GOP
ʼs version of Indiaʼs involvement in the secessionist movement and in armed infiltration into East Pakistan.
8.
I again told President
Yahya
that I was aware of his governmentʼs position but that irrespective of the causes, the problem existed and the refugee flow must be checked. He agreed that ramifications

which could ensue from this situation were patently of great seriousness, and he indicated that he recognized the validity of my observations. He alluded to his comments made earlier in the conversation (reported
septel
7
—President
Yahya
ʼs observations on Pakistan political situation) and said that an earnest effort at peaceful political accommodation would be undertaken; this, he observed, should have an ameliorating effect on the problem. He added that he hoped the United States would continue to urge restraint on India since the arms and ammunition supplied to infiltrators, both Indian and Bengalis, and the training being given in guerrilla warfare in camps along and just inside the Indian border, all combined to prevent a return to normalcy.
9.
Regarding the issuance of a statement as suggested (see para 4), President
Yahya
first asked what I thought of his comments issued in the morning press.
8
I told him that, in my opinion, they lacked substance regarding the approach to the principal question, and that the thrust appeared to be directed primarily towards an attack on India. I then reiterated the key points of my suggestion and again urged it upon him. President
Yahya
indicated that I had [made] my point and that he would think seriously upon it.
Luppi
Contents
Preface
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Abbreviations