Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971
Document 136
136. Telegram From
the Department of State
to
the Embassy in Pakistan
1
Washington
,
August 31, 1971, 0025Z
.
159587. Subject: Contacts with Bangla Desh Reps. Ref: Islamabad 8631;
2
Calcutta 2204.
3
1.
We agree that President
Yahya
ʼs reaction to Ambassador
Farland
ʼs presentation of Bangla Desh repʼs negotiation feeler is a “glimmer” of hope. We do not, however, believe that the time has come for
U.S.
to play any mediatory role. On the other hand, there may be some merit in carrying our present honest broker role one step further, i.e., by helping two sides communicate with each other on arrangements for meeting on neutral territory for exploratory session on possibility of serious negotiation.
2.
The first order of business should be for Ambassador
Farland
, if he has no big problems, to inform President
Yahya
of our ideas (outlined paras 3 and 4 below) and without being an advocate, ask for his reaction. This approach should be couched in terms of our willingness as a friend to help. It should be stressed that we will not go any further in our contacts with Bangla Desh reps than
Yahya
desires.
3.
Our thinking is that it may be useful to further test temperature of water by attempt at verification of
Qaiyum
ʼs bona fides. We see no better way to accomplish this quickly than to contact the Bangla Desh “Foreign Minister”
Mushtaq Ahmed
directly in Calcutta. If he in effect verifies content of approaches previously made by
Qaiyum
, we would then want to inform him that substance of talks with
Qaiyum
has been passed to President
Yahya
.
4.
We would also inform
Mushtaq Ahmed
that
Yahya
showed interest in a meeting of
GOP
reps and
BD
reps and volunteer to pass back to President
Yahya
any response
Mushtaq
may have. Should reactions from both sides to meeting prove favorable, we could then examine question whether further
US
role in providing communication link between them would be necessary or desirable.
5.
Caveats—We are confident posts share Departmentʼs awareness need for utmost caution and discretion in carrying out these next steps. Publicity concerning possibility of direct contacts between
GOP
and
BD
reps; exposure of our role; or knowledge of our contacts with
Mushtaq Ahmed
could cause sudden termination of this exercise. Furthermore, we should all keep in mind at every step that what may appear sincere desire to negotiate on one or both sides might in fact prove to be little more than tactical maneuver in complex process of pursuing greater influence over
US
policy. We will also need to bear in mind those who would want to see negotiations fail. We presume such elements would exist in Pakistan, India, and in
BD
movement.
6.
For Calcutta
: If Ambassador
Farland
receives
Yahya
ʼs approval, you should at earliest opportunity contact
BD
Foreign Minister
Mushtaq Ahmed
with object accomplishing purposes outlined in paras 3 and 4 above, at same time reiterating that we are passing messages but not acting as mediator. If subject of visa for
Mushtaq Ahmed
surfaces, you should follow guidance State 154078,
4
i.e., request has been referred to Washington and he should be given no encouragement. You may also suggest
Ahmed
ʼs visit might better be deferred while present effort to arrange
BD
and
GOP
contacts under way. If
Mushtaq Ahmed
out of India, report info on whereabouts soonest.
7.
For all addressees
: We will welcome continuing analysis and comments on: (a) possibilities for negotiation between
BD
reps and
GOP
; (b) dynamics of possibly troublesome divisions within
BD
movement (including Mukti Bahini) over “independence vs. accommodation”; (c)
GOI
attitudes toward negotiated settlement in lieu of independent Bangla Desh; (d) kind of settlement
Yahya
could sell in West Pakistan to military and politicians; and (e) ways in which apparent
BD
insistence on central role for
Mujib
(Calcutta 2204) might be reconciled with
Yahya
ʼs apparent need for “secessionist scapegoat.” Any other observations or contributions would of course also be welcome.
5
8.
Messages this subject should be transmitted
Nodis
.
Rogers
Contents
Preface
Sources
Abbreviations