Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971
Document 102
102. Telegram From
the Embassy in Pakistan
to
the Department of State
1
Islamabad
,
July 15, 1971, 1235Z
.
7164. Subj: Conversation With Pres.
Yahya Khan
: Food Situation East Pakistan.
1.
I met with Pres.
Yahya Kahn
in Presidentʼs office in Rawalpindi at 1000 hours Thursday, July 15. Conversation ensued for approximately 35 minutes.
2.
I emphasized our serious concerns about possibility of famine developing in East Pakistan.
2
I pointed out that if famine conditions developed, people will sustain further widespread suffering,
GOP
will be faced with additional major public relations problem, and substantial new exodus of refugees may occur. I informed President of
USAID
estimates of rice production and food gap and stated that unless heroic efforts made, famine conditions are likely to prevail. I emphasized that efforts to date have been less than adequate. The
GOP
has been reluctant to admit possibility of famine and consequently problems of food and transport have not been dealt with sufficient urgency. I pointed out that it was essential that
GOP
face up to the very real possibility of a major food crisis and begin developing, on a top priority basis, contingency plans for dealing with such a crisis.
3.
I noted that the results of the efforts to improve food transportation have been very disappointing, pointing out that during June shipments were less than half of the amounts which could reasonably

be expected. I told the President that we hoped that grain shipments up country would be at least 100,000 tons in July and 125,000 in August.
4.
I advised the President of the actions we were taking to permit shipment of 100,000 tons of wheat, and emphasized that it was the responsibility of the
GOP
to insure that these shipments are received, unloaded and distributed expeditiously.
5.
I also pointed out that efforts must be made to increase purchasing power in East Pakistan so that a situation will not arise in which people will go hungry or starve because they cannot afford to buy food which is available. I urged the President to authorize a special allocation of at least rupees 20 crore, over and above existing budgets, for immediate expenditure on relief and public works activities in East Pakistan.
6.
In conclusion I referred to our misgivings about the present relief coordinator, Mr.
H.R. Malik
, and suggested that he be replaced with a more dynamic officer.
7.
Yahya
said that he had carefully studied the Ryan report
3
which I had heretofore given to him, and from it and his own governmentʼs sources of information he was considerably concerned by the problem presented by the food situation. He said that as a result of my suggestion to him that a “food czar” should be appointed, a suggestion reflected in the Ryan report, he had as of yesterday appointed the former head of the Chittagong Port Authority, retired Commodore Bajwa, as his personal representative with superior power to act in alleviation of the problem. He further said that as a result of his concern for East Pakistan and the multitude of issues that it presented, he would be going over to Dacca within the next two weeks. He added that during his visit he would carefully examine all facets of the present difficulties, with particular reference to the comments that I had made to him.
8.
Another subject that was discussed during this conversation will be reported by
septel
.
4
Farland
Contents
Preface
Sources
Abbreviations