Bangladesh, December 1971–December 1972
Introductory Note
During the course of the crisis on the subcontinent in 1971, United States officials in Calcutta and New Delhi met periodically with representatives of the provisional government of Bangladesh. The aspiring government sought de facto recognition from the United States and looked to the United States to facilitate negotiations with the Pakistani Government on issues such as the release of Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Documentation on these contacts is printed in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971.
[Page 1]433. National Intelligence Estimate 32.1–72
The estimate assessed political, economic, and diplomatic developments in Bangladesh.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, NIC Files, Job 79–R01012A. Secret. The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State, Defense, the Treasury, and the NSA participated in the preparation of this estimate. The Director of the CIA submitted this estimate with the concurrence of all members of the United States Intelligence Board with the exception of the representative of the FBI, who abstained on the grounds that it was outside his jurisdiction. A cover sheet and table of contents are not published.
434. Telegram 231058 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Bangladesh
The Department endorsed the Embassy’s suggestion that the next aid agreement with Bangladesh be conditioned on the public acknowledgement of the agreement by the participation of a senior member of the Bangladesh Government, such as the Foreign Minister, in the ceremony staged to sign the agreement.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, AID (US) BANGLADESH. Confidential; Exdis. Drafted by Butcher and Lawrence B. Lesser, cleared by Laingen and AID and in substance by USIA, and approved by Meyer.
435. Telegram 5547 From the Embassy in Bangladesh to the Department of State
Chargé Newberry met with Foreign Minister Samad to express “serious concern” over a spate of attacks on USIS centers in Bangladesh and to ask for assurances that U.S. facilities in the country would be protected.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–8 BANGLADESH. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Repeated to Islamabad, Calcutta, New Delhi, and USIA. On December 11 the Embassy reported that a group of young men had defaced the USIS center in Dacca with anti-American slogans and Communist Party insignia. On December 22 a group of over 100 students, protesting the U.S. bombing of North Vietnam, attacked the USIS center in Dacca and did serious damage. On December 26 the Embassy reported that a group of leftist youths had virtually destroyed the USIS center in Chittagong, and the following day reported that the same thing had happened in Rajshahi. On December 26 the Department instructed the Embassy to convey “serious concern of USG over spate of destructive attacks against U.S. facilities” and U.S. “distress over the inadequate police protection afforded.” (Telegrams 5310, 5512, 5533, and 5544, December 11, 23, 26, and 27 respectively, all from Dacca; telegram 232100 to Dacca, December 26; all ibid.)
436. Telegram 232926 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Bangladesh
Country Director Laingen called in the Bangladesh Chargé to emphasize concern over the safety of U.S. personnel and facilities in Bangladesh and over the related issue of public statements critical of the United States by prominent government and Awami League officials.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–8 BANGLADESH. Limited Official Use; Priority. Drafted by Butcher, cleared with USIA, and approved by Laingen. Repeated to New Delhi, Islamabad, and Calcutta.
437. Telegram 5584 From the Embassy in Bangladesh to the Department of State
Chargé Newberry called on Foreign Minister Samad to protest the failure of the Bangladesh Government to protect the USIS center in Mymensingh. Newberry suggested that a personal message of regret from Prime Minister Rahman to Secretary of State Rogers might help convince Washington that the problem was receiving the attention of the head of government.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–8 BANGLADESH. Limited Official Use; Niact; Immediate. Also sent NIACT Immediate to USIA, and routine to Islamabad, New Delhi, and Calcutta. In telegram 5583 from Dacca, December 31, the Embassy reported the “bombing, sacking, and burning” of the USIS center in Mymensingh. (Ibid.)