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

417. Telegram 56444 From the Department of State to the Consulate General in Dacca¹ ²

Washington, April 3, 1972, 1736Z

Subject:

• Recognition of Bangladesh

1. Dept will announce late morning April 4 decision to extend diplomatic recognition to Bangladesh.

2. You should inform Foreign Secretary Karim or Secretary Kibria no earlier than 7:00 a.m. EST on April 4 of USG decision and timing of announcement. You should also stress our desire to avoid any leak prior to April 4 announcement.

3. At same time, you should tell MFA that Consul General Spivack will return to Dacca on April 7 and would like to have appointment with Prime Minister morning of April 8 or as soon as possible thereafter to deliver recognition message. You should also say that we will be prepared to deal with members of the BD Mission in Washington as diplomatic representatives of Bangladesh. Dept plans as courtesy to inform Karim at BD Mission on morning of April 4 of decision to recognize.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 16 BANGLADESH. Confidential; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Constable, cleared by Laingen, and approved by Davies. Repeated to Islamabad and New Delhi.
2. The Consulate General was instructed to inform the Government of Bangladesh of U.S. plans for recognition on April 4. The Consulate General was also instructed to notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Consul General Spivack would be returning on April 7 and would like to meet with Bangladesh Prime Minister Rahman on April 8 to deliver President Nixon’s letter concerning recognition.