Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971
Document 325
325. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (
Kissinger
) to President
Nixon
1
Washington
,
December 17, 1971
.
SUBJECT
Information Items
India-Pakistan Situation
: President
Yahya
has agreed to a ceasefire in the west by saying that Pakistanʼs earlier acceptance of the
UNGA
resolution indicates its willingness provided “other provisions” are also observed. He has ordered his forces to stop firing at 9:30 a.m. EST, the time India proposed.
Ambassador
Bush
at the end of last eveningʼs consultations reported that agreement on a Security Council resolution seemed closer than at any time previously. The focal point of discussion was the
U.S.
/Japanese draft which:
—demands that a durable cease-fire be observed until disengagement takes place leading to “prompt withdrawal of the armed forces from all the occupied territories”;
—calls on all members to refrain from aggravating the situation;
—calls for protection of civilians and soldiers;
—calls for international assistance in the relief, return and rehabilitation of the refugees and strengthening the
UN
staff to assist.
Negotiations on wording will continue this morning. The Security Council is scheduled to convene at 10:30 a.m. In the course of consultations in response to a specific question by Ambassador
Bush
on Kashmir, Foreign Minister
Singh
stated categorically that India “has no intent to alter the cease-fire line,”
2
except for minor rectifications for geographic reasons to which each side agreed.
Singh
also said that in the east India planned to install a civilian government of officials elected in 1970. He asked whether the
U.S.
could get
Mujib
released to head it, but he did not press the point. The Indian army will stay in the barracks. India is not interested in occupation but cannot withdraw under present conditions and leave chaos behind. India will withdraw as soon as practicable and wished the
UN
resolution to reflect the need for flexibility in timing.

[
less than 1 line of source text not declassified
] the Indian army in the East has been instructed to isolate radicals within the Mukti Bahini. New Delhi is reportedly insisting that Bangla Desh have a government that includes political elements other than the Awami League. The multi-party consultative committee set up earlier in the fall, including some Communists, will apparently form the nucleus of the new government.
There is talk in West Pakistan that
Yahya
will be replaced, but so far these reports remain speculative.
Prior to the scheduled cease-fire this morning, heavy fighting apparently continued on the western front with India claiming gains inside Pakistan in the area south of Kashmir. Major Indian progress there would have put an end to Pakistani hope of sustaining a major campaign in Kashmir.
An analysis [
less than 1 line of source text not declassified
] indicates the continuation of Chinese air transport activity of the type previously associated with Chinese aircraft and supply deliveries to West Pakistan.
[Omitted here are summary reports on foreign policy issues unrelated to South Asia.]
Contents
Preface
Sources
Abbreviations