Department of State

AIRGRAM

CONFIDENTIAL A-41

TO: DEPARTMENT OF STATE

INFO: RAWALPINDI, DACCA, LAHORE, PESHAWAR, KABUL DATE MARCH 3, 1970

FROM : KARACHI

SUB: Conversation with NAP/R President Wali Khan

Enclosed with this airgram is a memorandum of conversation between Khan Abdul WALI KHAN, President of the National Awami Party (Requisitionist) (NAP/R), and Sidney Sober, Minister-Counselor, American Embassy, Rawalpindi and the reporting officer. The conversation, which took place in the home of NAP/R General Secretary M.H. USMANI, was marked by considerable openness on the part of Wali Khan. While the NAP/R leader would not be drawn out an particular matters affecting the cohesion of his party (e.g., the present split in Baluchistan and the intra-party debate over the future of West Pakistan) he was quite willing to discuss the future of Pakistan and the necessity for elections in October, the difficulties inherent in predicting the election outcome and relations with India.

LUPPI

MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION

Participants : Khan Abdul WALI KHAN, President of National Awami Party (Requisitionist) (NAP/R)

Sidney Sober, Minister-Counselor, American Embassy, Rawalpindi D.M. Cochran, Political Officer, American Consulate General, Karachi

Date : February 23, 1970

Place : Home of NAP/R General Secretary M.H. USMANI, Karachi.

Political Situation

Wall Khan said that elections must be held in October 1970 if Pakistan is to retain any hope of establishing a truly democratic form of government. He said that during Pakistan's brief history, but especially during the period of President AYUB KHAN, meaningful political activity had been virtually nonexistent. As a result, Pakistan approaches its first free elections with the several parties led by old politicians whose chief claims to prominence are their putative roles in the Pakistan Movement. There are two pressing needs: (1) the instruction of the electorate and (2) the development of second-and third-level political leaders who can take over from the older politicians. To meet the first need, the NAP/R is presently engaged in airing some of the more pressing problems confronting the nation and will concentrate on promoting its fortunes as a party only after the passage of two or three months. With regard to the second, the elections themselves will necessarily bring forward the younger men who will be needed in future. If the elections are not held, then this group, now active, will tend to withdraw from political life and, as the older leaders disappear, the future possibility of establishing a popular government will become even more difficult than at present.

Regional Autonomy

Wali Khan said that he is convinced that if Pakistan is to be strong, it must inevitably have a weakened Center. Given the strength of regional sentiment in both the East and West Wings, only the devolution of greater autonomy to the provinces can provide the basis for unity through the accommodation of diverse and divergent aspirating. Insofar as West Pakistan is concerned, the dismemberment of One Unit is a complete necessity. Nevertheless, while the break-up must take place on administrative lines, it is his hope that political and economic ties may be preserved. Wall Khan stated that he does not agree with M.A. QASURI that this can be achieved only through's sub-federation but did posit the need for a substantial measure of inter-provincial cooperation is regard to matters affecting any two or more of the provinces expected to emerge.

Wali Khan added that he is fully aware of the concerns in the Punjab ever the devolution of considerable power to the provinces. He added, however, that as Punjab comes to realize more fully that East Bengal will inevitably held a majority of seats in the constituent assembly and the lower house of parliament, it too will join in the demand for greater regional autonomy in order to protect its own interests. (He clearly accepts that the national legislature should be bicameral but gave no views on the composition of the upper house.)

In talking about the "weakness of the Center", Wali Khan indicated that a contributing factor in the post-election period will be the absence of any single party commanding a majority in parliament. He said that in this situation, the parties presently dominating in the province-to-be must inevitably join forces in some sort of coalition, a fact which will tend to strengthen centripetal forces. While such practice cannot presently talk openly of alliances lost they are willing to risk some diminution of support in the areas of their strength, no nevertheless anticipates that a workable coalition could be forged by the Awami League, Council Muslim League and the NAP/R. The NAP/R is not itself apprehensive about present discussions of such a possibility - as has been revealed by recent event in East Pakistan - but others clearly are. Wali Khan added that he himself does see Mumtaz DAULTANA and counts SHAUKAT HAYAT as a friend.

Election Outlook

Continuing, Wali Khan stated that it is very difficult at this stage to engage in any attempt at meaningful prediction of the election's outcome. Party is, he said, still largely irrelevant, at least in West Pakistan. Thus, the role of the traditional leadership elements is the central factor. In Northwest Frontier Province and Baluchistan, the results will turn on the party affiliations of the sardars; in Punjab the baradaris, will control; in Sind, it will be the mirs. Virs and vederas who will influence votes.

Foreign Interference

After stating that it is wholly inappropriate to describe the NAP/R as "pro-Moscow" (he said that the NAP/L inherited both the pro-Moscow and pro-Peking elements when the NAP divided-"and now it is splitting"), Wali Khan said that he is incensed by charges made by Khan Abdul QAYYAM KHAN of the so-called All-Pakistan Muslim League that the NAP/R has received money from India through Wali Khan's father, ABDUL GHAFFAR KHAN. He said that he plans to take Qayyam Khan to law in order to refute these charges. At this point, Mr Sober noted that there are frequent charges of US interference in Pakistan affairs and assured Wali Khan that these charges are without foundation.

Indicating his own belief that the charges concerning Ghaffar Khan are not affecting his father's standing, Wali Khan went on to say that he hopes his father will be able to return to Pakistan in the near further. If he does, the NAP/R plans to put him to campaigning in NWFP where his influence will be very helpful.

Foreign Policy

Wali Khan said that central to Pakistan's foreign policy - and to its economic development - are relations with India. He stated that it is his firm belief that some basic resolution of existing problems must be found if Pakistan is to be free to promote its progress at the needed rate. Noting the difficulties of defending East Pakistan, he questioned whether Pakistan should be forced to shoulder the additional burden of providing adequate defences for the East Wing when improved relations with India would obviate their need. He added that he has discussed this with President Yahya.

Source: The American Papers- Secret and Confidential India.Pakistan.Bangladesh Documents 1965-1973, The University Press Limited, p.352-354