Department of State

 

 

TELEGRAM

 

 

SECRET 350

 

 

 

 

 

 

ISLAMA 08188 111428Z

52

ACTION NEA-11

INFO                :   OCT-01 EUR-14 10-11 CIAE-00 DODE-00 PM-06 H-02 INR-06 L-03 NSC-10 P-03 RSC-01 PRS-  

                              01 SS-14 USIA-12 NSA-OS AID-20 SR-02 ORM-03 IGA-02 E-11 RSR-01/139W

 .......... 033780

R 111300 Z AUG 71

FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD

TO SECSTATE WASHDC 038

INFO AMCONSUL CALCUTTA

AMCONSUL DACCA

AMCONSUL KARACHI

AMCONSUL LAHORE

AMEMBASSY LONDON

AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI

USMISSION GENEVA

USMISSION USUN NY

SECRET ISLAMABAD 8188

SUB                    :  CONVERSATION WITH PAK ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF: REFUGEES AND RELIEF

REF                    :  ISLAMABAD 8185 AND 8187 (NOTAL)

 

1. Summary: Gen. Hamid acknowledges that refugees are most explosive issue in current crisis of Indo-Pak relations. He says that strict instructions have been issued to insure fair treatment for Hindu population in East Pakistan and expressed his dismay over report that Hindus are continuing to flee to India. Charge emphasized strong US interest in humanitarian relief efforts in East Pakistan and importance of effective Pak support behind UN relief program. Hamid agrees that priority is shifting toward civilian relief requirements and promised to look into reports of continued diversion of US boats provided for relief. End Summary.

 

2. During conversation August 11 with Gen. Abdul Hamid Khan, Pak Army Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator, I commented that refuges were at heart of problem within East Pakistan and in crisis of Indo-Pak relations. In first instance, continued exodus to India reflected at least persistent fear if not actual exercise of force against persons fleeing. Unless exodus could be stemmed and conditions created to encourage substantial reflow from India, refugee problem likely to lead to explosion in subcontinent. Hamid agreed that refugees constituted most explosive element of current crisis. He said it was his impression that refugee outflow had been stemmed. I responded that I had had such hope when I last visited border areas of East Pakistan in late June, and at one point flow seems to have diminished, but recent reports indicate substantial exodus is continuing. Particular point of concern. I said, was that large proportion of continuing outflow is of Hindus. In response Hamid's query for specifics, I cited eye-witness report within past two weeks of large stream of Hindus crossing southern part of Faridpur district toward Indian border. I said I knew Hamid had been concerned over this aspect of problem. I asked whether it was not possible for army commanders to put effective leash of Jawans (GIS) and junior officers who might feel religious mission to expel Hindus from East Pakistan.

 

3. Hamid took notes and did not argue with my account. He said ruefully that he had personally been very concerned over Hindu outflow and that strict instructions had been read out to all units on importance of treating fairly all elements of East Pak population as part of effort to curb anti-Hindu actions. He said he was very sorry to hear what I had had to say on this subject and that further action was apparently needed.

 

4. I said that food and other emergency relief requirements had to be met not only to meet needs of East Pak population but also to help avoid adding to refugee exodus. I noted President Nixon's comments of August 4 and Secretary's discussions August 9 with UNSYG as evidence of importance US attaches to moving as rapidly as possible in East Pak relief effort. Hamid said he agreed fully with my point that, although USG was active in humanitarian assistance effort and was ready to do more, the effort should have greater international support and participation. I said in that respect it was very important that GOP and GOEP make determined, effective effort to mobilize all resources and get behind UN staffing and machinery for relief work. I said we had impression, for one thing, that GOEP civil machinery was sluggish. Bureaucracy, which perhaps not very efficient at best of times, now seemed demoralized. I said I hoped MLA would do utmost to get behind them, encourage them, and give them support they needed to get job done. Hamid acknowledged there was real problem in this respect and agreed that military could and must provide effective help. At earlier stage military requirements had very clear top priority. Now, Hamid said, priority had shifted toward need of civilian population and -political reconciliation.

 

5. That gave me opportunity to raise our concern over reports of continued use for military purposes of boats and vehicles which were needed for transport of humanitarian relief commodities in East Pakistan. I referred to continuing problem we have had over appropriation by military of assault boats we had provided for relief work after last year's cyclone. Hamid said he thought that problem should have been resolved by NI, and he promised to look into it.

GP-3. Sober

 

 

Source: The American Papers (Secret and confidential India, Pakistan and Bangladesh Documents); page no – 638 - 639, The University Press.