Central
Intelligence Agency Intelligence Information Cable/1/
/1/ Source:
National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 642, Country
Files, Middle East, India/Pakistan Situation. Secret;
Priority; No Foreign Dissem. Circulated in Washington to
the White House, the Departments of State and Defense, DIA, the JCS, within
Defense to the Departments of Army, Navy, and Air Force, to NIC, NSA, and the
Office of Current Intelligence.
TDCS-314/12990-71
Washington, December
7, 1971.
COUNTRY
India/Pakistan
DOI
6 December 1971
SUBJECT
Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's Briefing [less
than 1 line of source text not declassified] on the IndoPakistani
War
ACQ
[1 line of
source text not declassified]
SOURCE
[5 lines of
source text not declassified]
1. On 6
December 1971
Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi [1 line of source
text not declassified] told [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]
that India is doing quite well on
the diplomatic front. The Soviet Union's support in the United
Nations, while expected, shows the value of the Indo-Soviet friendship treaty.
Mrs. Gandhi also commented that she is pleased with the stand taken by France and Great Britain in the Security
Council.
2. As far as
China is concerned, said the
Prime Minister, she had expected it to take a more balanced view, even though
Chinese support to Pakistan in the United Nations
was a foregone conclusion. The Prime Minister stated that she hopes the Chinese
do not intervene physically in the North; she noted, however, that the Soviets
have warned her that the Chinese are still able to "rattle the sword"
in Ladakh and Chumbi areas.
If they should do so, she said, the Soviets have promised to counter-balance
any such action.
3. The Prime
Minister said that the United States might attempt to bring
the cease-fire issue before the General Assembly after another Soviet veto. She
stated that India would not accept the
advice of the General Assembly, however, until:
A.
Bangladesh is liberated;
B. The
southern area of Azad Kashmir is liberated; ([less
than 1 line of source text not declassified] comment: This
encompasses the area west of the 1965 cease-fire line between Chhamb and Punch.);
C. Pakistani
armored and air force strength are destroyed so that Pakistan will never again be in
a position to plan another invasion of India.
4. The Prime
Minister continued by saying that it is a pity that, in spite of India's
efforts, the United States has not changed its policy toward the sub-continent.
The new nation of Bangladesh is emerging; West Pakistan will be reduced to the
size of other small West Asian countries. This balance of forces will be
favorable to India, she said, but the United States is unable to appreciate
the changes which are taking place; however, the Prime Minister added that
there is still time for the United States to alter its policy
toward the sub-continent.
5. The Prime
Minister stated that she expects other socialist countries to recognize Bangladesh after some time has
elapsed. The immediate concern of India, however, is to finish
the war quickly.
6. Mrs.
Gandhi concluded her briefing by reiterating India's war objectives:
A. The quick
liberation of Bangladesh,
B. The
incorporation into India of the southern part of
Azad Kashmir for strategic rather than territorial
reasons, (because India has no desire to occupy
any West
Pakistan
territory); and, finally,
C. To
destroy Pakistani military striking power so that it never attempts to
challenge India in the future.
Source: Document 246, volume XI, South
Asia crisis 1971, Department of State.