Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–7, Documents on South Asia, 1969–1972
Document 305
305. Telegram 8436 From the
Embassy in Pakistan
to the
Department of State
1
2
Islamabad
,
October 12, 1972, 1229Z
Subject:
PL
480 Title I-
Pak
Request for 400,000 Tons
Ref:
(A) Islamabad 8317 (B) Islamabad 7484
1.
In connection with our consideration of Pakistan’s urgent request for another 400,000 tons of wheat to see country through until next harvest, I believe issue merits your personal attention. Would like to recall to your attention the exceptional representations Pres Bhutto has made to me on this subject. These were noted in ref (B) which I hope you will reread.
Bhutto
’s urgent interest in obtaining assurance on additional 400,000 tons was reiterated to me today during course of telephone conversation with him on another subject. Governmental interest as measured by President’s personal concern has not been higher on any other single economic aid issue during my three years in Pakistan. It is clear that government sees this wheat as essential to internal stability and its domestic political strategy, and is strongly banking on U.S. Title I to finance it. Within framework of Pakistan’s politically determined price constraints, we are convinced that need exists. We hope positive response to
Pak
request will be forthcoming shortly despite current squeeze on
US
wheat stocks, of which we acutely aware.
2.
Working closely with
AID
, I have tried to use this request for 400,000 tons to obtain a better focus by
GOP
on its agricultural policies. I consider the price adjustments recently announced as a useful first step, but only a first step. Within framework of a positive decision by the
US
on the 400,000 tons, I intend to discuss with Pres
Bhutto
important measures his govt should take to accelerate its agricultural production programs. I will tell him that even despite his urgent preoccupation with internal and external political problems, his govt ought to move faster to articulate and put into effect an agricultural strategy. The govt needs to assure adequate inputs, including fertilizer and pesticides; developing capacity throughout the govt for agricultural policy analysis; and pursue series of initiatives in areas of agricultural research, barani (rainfed) agriculture and water utilization at the farm level in the irrigated areas. I will tell him that our positive decision on 400,000 tons reflects a truly exceptional effort by
USG
to be helpful to Paktstan, at time when our wheat stocks have been very heavily committed elsewhere as he is aware; decision recognizes the signal importance which
Bhutto
attached to this request as voiced in his discussions with me; and, finally, i will say that our decision is taken with assumption that pakistan during coming year will put more money and more talent behind its own agricultural production programs. I will add that our
AID
mission stands ready to be helpful to
GOP
on such programs if our help is wanted. Wheeler and I plan to discuss this approach with
MacDonald
during his visit later this month.
3.
I believe favorable decision on
Pak
request will improve atmosphere, beyond realm of agriculture, for our continuing discussions with
Bhutto
and
GOP
on variety of other issues, he has promised as much.
4.
I would appreciate any word—even of interim nature—you could give me which I could pass to
Bhutto
within next ten days.
Sober