Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–7, Documents on South Asia, 1969–1972

405. Telegram 722 From the Consulate General in Dacca to the Department of State¹ ²

Dacca, February 28, 1972, 1610Z

Subject:

• USG Intentions Toward Bangladesh

Ref:

• State 33181

1. I obtained appointment with FonMin Samad late this afternoon in accordance with instructions reftel. He received me in company of Foreign Secy Karim and Director General (Americas) Kibria.

2. FonMin opened conversation by reitrating (apparently for benefit of Karim and Kibria) substance of points he had made in our previous meeting (Dacca 689). From this summary it appeared that most important considerations, aside from actual recognition weighing on ForMin’s mind in connection with US-BD relations

A. Status of U.S. Consulate General in Dacca;

B. Treatment of BD reps in US; and

C. Extent to which USG regarded BD as, in fact, separate from Pakistan.

In connection with point (a) Samad’s main concern seemed to be whether actions and activities of this office were still directed toward furtherance of US-Pak relations or whether they took account de facto existence of new country of BD. Point (b) seemed compounded of nationalistic feelings—whether BD diplomats in US were being accorded inferior status as compared with US members of US office here and concern over requirement that these diplomats pay income taxes in the US (latter point seemed particular interest to Kibria and Karim, both of whom were last stationed abroad in US and were required to pay income taxes from time of their defection from Pak Embassy until their departure). FonMin’s thinking in regard to point (c) did not appear very precise and seemed directed principally at question of whether US would continue to direct its policy toward maintenance of territorial integrity of Pak as that country existed prior to dec 16th.

3. I made Samad points set forth in para 3–4–5–6 of reftel, pointing out that there was an unfortunate but understandably wholly fortuitous conflict in timing in that PriMin Mujib Rahman desired (understandably) to have some definite word of USG intentions prior to his departure for Moscow on Feb 29th, that being date on which President Nixon would and which he had specified for commencement of USG review of its policies toward South Asia including question of recognition of BD. Samad seemed to accept this ineluctable fact of all timing although with some regret.

4. On question of status of US Mission here and members of BD Mission in US, I pointed out that these were directly related to basic recognition question and could be resolved only in that context. I said that both I and my government were appreciative of forbearance of GOBD in its treatment of US office here during time required for resolutiqn by USG of basic recognition question.

5. Samad listened attentively to my exposition of substantive points set forth in reftel and remarked that while they represented no great advance over what he already knew he supposed that GOBD would have to exercise patience and hope that eventual decisions of USG could be in conformity with reality of situation and with democratic principles of self determination of peoples.

6. At conclusion of talk Samad raised question of what could be said to press, some 20 members of which were clustered at door to his office. I said that I had spoken to him in confidence and on his assurances that views i expressed would be held closely. Samad agreed but he said that my call at his office was known and that press must be given something. As I had done at my call on him, in January (Dacca 10–11–12) I said that I preferred to make no statement to the press but would not object if the Minister informed the press that I had conveyed the following to him.

A. USG had no intention ignoring existence of 75,000,000 Bengalees;

B. President Nixon had definitely committed his administration to review the question of recognition of BD upon return of President to Washington; and

C. Question of recognition of relations aside, USG was moving without delay to join concretely and significantly in UN humanitarian and rehabilitation relief for Bengalee people. Samad seemed relatively satisfied with these points.

7. Upon my departure I wished Samad a pleasant journey to Moscow and asked him to convey similar wishes to PriMin. He thanked me warmly.

Spivack

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL BANGLADESH–US. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to Islamabad and New Delhi.
2. Consul General Spivack reported that he met with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Samad and, as instructed, informed him that the question of recognition would have to await President Nixon’s decision after his return from China. Samad remained concerned about the status of the Consulate General and whether its mission was to further U.S. relations with Pakistan or Bangladesh. He also expressed concern about the treatment of representatives of Bangladesh in the United States.