Office of the Historian

215. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Rountree) to the Secretary of State1

Washington, April 4, 1957.

SUBJECT

  • Richards Mission—Pakistan, March 27–292

Discussions

President and Prime Minister welcomed Richards and soon agreed on Doctrine. The Pakistanis responded freely to request for their views on other countries and seemed disposed to be helpful with Afghanistan. They regard so-called dynamic or progressive neutrality, which is really aggressive neutrality, as greatest threat today. They pressed on the question of whether the Doctrine covers internal subversion and Richards replied that it would not if a communist government were in power due to internal causes, since the use of U.S. troops would then violate sovereignty and the right of people to choose their government. He also ducked the question of a possible attack from India.

Findings

Richards was impressed by the Pakistan positive attitude, determination to succeed, activity and drive in contrast to Iran. Their major drawback is crushing burden of “defense” against India. Another is lack of qualified personnel in depth. They have the potential and the desire to form the Eastern stanchion of Middle East defense against communism. They had no demands but emphasized their severe annual food short-fall.

Commitments

(1)
U.S. adherence to Baghdad Pact Military Committee
(2)
Military grant aid, vehicles, aircraft, guns, ammunition—$10 million
(3)
Economic aid on loan basis for foreign exchange costs of fertilizer factories—$10 million
(4)
Contribution to telecommunications regional projects after consultations in Baghdad
[Page 491]

Comments

The Richards offers were received with quiet satisfaction, and the Prime Minister stated that the long-pending FCN treaty could now be approved. Richards urges that ICA favor projects to raise the Pakistan food output. The Embassy reports on the favorable impression created by Richards’ candor and persuasiveness.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/5–1057. Secret. Drafted by Bliss. Also addressed to the Under Secretary of State.↩
  2. Regarding the Richards Mission visit to Pakistan, see vol. VIII, p. 476. For text of the joint communiqué issued on March 31 in Karachi, see Department of State Bulletin, May 6, 1957, pp. 728–729.↩