Secret telegram

September 7, 1971

From: State Department Washington DC

Action: Amembassy Islamabad/New Delhi

             Amconsul Calcutta

 

Subject: Contacts with Bangla Desh Reps

 

1. We have noted Calcutta's August 14 and particularly August 19 conversations with Qaiyum. On off chance that Qaiyum's proposals might provide glimmer of hope for negotiated political settlement between GOP and Awami League, White House and State Depart­ment believe we should consider informing GOP of our contacts with Qaiyum and substance of his remarks.

 

2. Unless you foresee any big problems, you should seek early op­portunity to inform Islamabad Fonsec that we have had contact with Qaiyum at tatter's initiative, and he has informed us of his views on political accommodation (drawing as appropriate on contents of Cal­cutta's 2230, 2280, 2321 and 2365). In addition you should:

 

(a) not repeat not convey that portion of cables covering Bangla Desh arms or specifics of Indian role in training

camps;

 

(b) stress that we have only listened to Qaiyum and that we have taken no initiative to pursue Qaiyum's suggestion that we meet with Bangla Desh quote Foreign Minister unquote Mushtaq Ahmed;

 

(c) stress that we have made no judgement on the value of Qaiyum's proposals;

 

(d) avoid any impression that US seeking to play mediatory role between GOP and Awami League, make clear that we are willing to help but only as a friend and if GOP wants.

 

3. FOR CALCUTTA: If approached again by Qaiyum concerning visa for "Foreign Minister" you should only say that you have passed request on to Washington, but you should give them no repeat no en­couragement.

 

4. Department would appreciate having Islamabad's views on possi­ble issuance of visitor's visa to BD "Foreign Minister", in above context. For present, you should not convey to GOP this portion of conversations with Qaiyum.

 

5. FOR NEW DELHI: Department appreciates your account of latest contact with qte Foreign Secretary unqte Alam and concurs in your standby availability posture on further contacts with him outlined in para 11, New Delhi's 13000.

 

 

 

Source: Bangladesh Liberation War and the Nixon White House 1971, p.210 - 211