Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–7, Documents on South Asia, 1969–1972
Document 46
46. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (
Kissinger
) to President
Nixon
1
2
Washington
,
January 31, 1970
SUBJECT :
Reply from President
Yahya Khan

President
Yahya
has sent the attached reply to your general letter. His response is in the same spirit of a general exchange of views as your letter to him. In brief, he covers these points:
1.
Pakistan’s vital concern in Asian stability.
2.
His wish for success in U.S. efforts to develop a meaningful dialogue with China.
3.
Pakistan’s encouragement for our efforts for peace in the Mid-East, opposition to use of force to gain territory and belief that a lasting settlement must take into account the interests of
the Palestinian Arabs.
4.
Pleasure in U.S.-Pakistani bilateral relations and appreciation for your prompt action on food shipments.
5.
Need to press urgently toward a decision on military supply policy.
6.
Appreciation for your November 3 speech.
No reply now is necessary, but I shall keep my eyes open for a natural opportunity to continue this exchange.
The military supply question is ready for
NSC
discussion at the next opportunity.

Attachment
Letter From Pakistani President Yahya to President Nixon
Rawalpindi
,
January 19, 1970
Dear Mr. President,
Thank you very much for your letter of the 20th December in which you have reviewed developments in Asia and the Middle East since we had the pleasure of welcoming you in our midst last summer. I am glad that the process of personal exchange of views started in Lahore is being kept up through correspondence.
As you very well know, Mr. President, in our situation and because also of the imperatives of our ideology, we cannot but be vitally concerned in the peace, stability and progress of Asia. We welcome all developments and initiatives which hold promise of promoting these objectives, and are heartened by your own and your great country’s continuing interest in them.
It is our belief that a meaningful dialogue between the United States and China could help reduce tensions and serve the cause of peace. We wish you success in your efforts in this direction.
We have watched with great interest your Administration’s efforts to break the deadlock in the Middle East and to bring lasting peace and stability to this deeply troubled area. Pakistan’s strong opposition to the use of force to gain territory is well-known. So is its unstinted support for the exercise of the right of self-determination by all peoples. We hope, Mr. President, that your great country will be able to exercise its tremendous influence to bring about a lasting settlement in the region which conforms to the principles of the United Nations Charter and is consistent with the dignity and honour of the Arab people. It is our belief that, judging by the experience of the last 22 years, any settlement which fails to take into account the interests and wishes of the Palistinian Arabs will at best prove ephemeral and illusory. The Security Council resolution of November 1967, provides a basis acceptable to the Governments of the
UAR
and Jordan on which a settlement can be worked out. It is not inconsistent with the considerations I have set forth above. I very much hope that the efforts made by your Government in that direction will meet with success.
Happily relations between our two countries are, as you said, going well. We are grateful for your personal interest

which led to a smooth arrangement for
PL
–480 foodgrains supplies. The uncertainty regarding the foreign aid legislation is causing some anxiety to our planners, but we are hoping that any cuts in new appropriations will not be reflected pro-rata in our allocation which will be as near as possible to the figure indicated to us last summer during your and Secretary
Rogers
’ visits.
You have referred, Mr. President, to the delays in reviewing your military supply policy. I feel that there is need to press ahead urgently with this matter. For a decade Pakistan had depended on the United States as its major, rather sole, supplier of defence equipment. The ban imposed more than four years ago has operated greatly to Pakistan’s disadvantage. As I explained to you, we have neither the desire not the capacity for an arms race with India, but unless we have a minimum, credible deterrent, peace and stability in the region are likely to be in jeopardy.
It was nice of you to send me a copy of your address of the 3rd November on the Pursuit of Peace. This gave me an opportunity to read it again in the background of the highly favourable impact it has had on your countrymen.
There is a golf course here in Rawalpindi next to my house, but it is not often that I can get to play a round. At this rate, I am in danger of soon becoming an ‘elder statesman’ of the game!
Yours sincerely,
Yahya Khan
Contents
Press Release
Preface
Sources
Abbreviations