Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971
Document 335
335. Telegram From
the Department of State
to
the Embassy in Pakistan
1
Washington
,
December 30, 1971, 1927Z
.
233072. Subject: President
Bhutto
ʼs Letter to President. Ref: State 233015.
2
For Ambassador
Farland
.
1.
Septel contains text letter to President from President
Bhutto
delivered Dept by Ambassador
Raza
December 21.
2.
You should make oral response to letter, indicating that President has received it and is deeply appreciative of concerns raised in letter. You should put your response in context our own concerns which we have expressed publicly and privately on several occasions in recent past, in
UN
and elsewhere, regarding general humanitarian problems growing out of hostilities East Pakistan. You will want to point out what we have already done in support of Pak approach to
ICRC
and Swiss Government concerning West Pak and civilian officials East Pakistan. We have also made clear to Indian Government our view that

Indian Army has heavy and continuing responsibility help insure security of minorities and others East Pakistan in current unsettled security situation there.
3.
You should then go on to say that we stand ready to assist
ICRC
and other international organizations in whatever ways that might be practicable in alleviating present human suffering East Pakistan. In doing so you will want to recall a)
Bhutto
ʼs indication to Secretary December 18
3
that he understood why
US
would wish to provide humanitarian assistance in East (subject to understanding that this not be done in way there be any implication of recognition Bangla Desh); and b) call in Security Council Resolution adopted December 21
4
for international assistance in relief of suffering and rehabilitation of refugees and authorization for Secretary General to assist in this regard.
4.
You should say to
Bhutto
that in view of these considerations we are indicating to
UNSYG
that
USG
stands ready to assist in such humanitarian relief operations as may be requested of
UN
in the East Pakistan area and which it feels it has the capacity to undertake.
5
We want
Bhutto
to understand, however, that our doing so will depend on a broad range of international support, pursuant to the SC resolution, and that we will look to the
UN
for leadership in such an effort.
FYI
: What we have in mind for our part is the considerable amount of foodgrains previously in pipeline for East Pakistan in tranches appropriate to situation as it develops. We intend hold up any commitments on administrative costs at this time. End
FYI
.
5.
You may also inform President
Bhutto
that President has authorized that negotiations begin with
GOP
for a new
PL
–480 Title I Agreement of 300,000 tons wheat and 25,000 tons edible oil (these authorizations having values of approximately $25 million and $10 million respectively). These actions reflect not only awareness of pressing food requirements West Pakistan but also are evidence of desire this Government to assist
GOP
in difficult tasks overall it now faces in beginning lengthy process of recovery from tragic events of recent weeks.
6
6.
PL
–480 negotiating instructions will follow
septel
.
Johnson
Contents
Preface
Sources
Abbreviations