Office of the Historian

404. Telegram 33181 From the Department of State to the Consulate General in Dacca1 2

Washington, February 27, 1972, 0354Z

Ref:

  • Dacca 0689

Subj:

  • USG Intentions Toward Bangladesh
1.
We are not prepared at this time to go as far as your main recommendation contained para 10a of reftel 0689. Moreover, discussions on certain aspects of your other recommendations are also premature, other than those relating to humanitarian relief on which you alread have instructions. However, in going back to Samad before his departure for Moscow with Mujib, you may make and must not under any circumstance go beyond following points which indicate positive direction in which U.S. policy is evolving.
2.
President is now in China and, as Samad has himself acknowledged, decision on recognition as President said publicly on February 10 will not be addressed until after President’s return from China. You cannot, therefore, be precise at this time.
3.
You should assure Samad that USG is in no way ill-disposed toward Bangladesh. On contrary, President in foreign policy message to Congress on February 9 said: qte we have never been hostile to Bengali aspiratons ... as the US strengthens new relationship in Asia, we have no intention of ignoring these 70 million people unqte.
4.
You should go on to stress that deferral of recognition decision has not prevented US from responding positively and concretely to needs of Bangladesh for relief and rehabilitation assistance, details of which you have already conveyed to Samad. From previous instructions you are also clear that you are authorized to communicate further as neccesary on relief matters.
5.
Re status of Bengalis in west, you should reaffirm to Samad that from beginning of crisis US has been deeply concerned about treatment of all minorities. We will be alert to any appropriate role we can play in ensuring protection of Bengalis.
6.
In closing, you should stress that US has appreciated GOBD understanding to date of USG’s need for time in reaching decision on recognition.
7.
Noting Samad’s offer to keep your remarks in confidence, you should seek from him an understanding that your converstation will be so treated and shared only with Mujib.
8.
In view of general nature of Foreign Minister’s approach and compelling reasons here, you must limit yourself strictly to above. You are to make absolutely no rpt no comment to press on timing or conditions of recognition.
Irwin
  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 591, Country Files, Middle East, Bangladesh. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Also sent to Peking for Rogers as Tosec 122. Drafted by Van Hollen, cleared by Constable, Sisco, Saunders, and Haig, and approved by Acting Secretary Johnson. Repeated to the White House, Islamabad, and New Delhi.↩
  2. Consul General Spivack was again instructed to go no further on the question of recognition than to indicate that the issue would be addressed after President Nixon returned from China. Spivack was further instructed to assure Bangladesh Foreign Minister Samad that the United States was well disposed toward Bangladesh and would continue to respond to requests for humanitarian assistance.↩