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

420. Telegram 1227 From the Embassy in Bangladesh to the Department of State¹ ²

Dacca, April 10, 1972, 1126Z

Subject:

• Delivery of Presidential Letter to Bangladesh Prime Minister

1. Shortly after my return to Dacca on morning Saturday, April 8, I was asked to call on Foreign Minister Abdus Samad as preliminary to my meeting with BD PriMin Sheikh Mujib Rahman. Samad received me together with Foreign Secretary Karim, and the conversation (with one exception which will be subject septel) restricted to pleasantries and to discussion of procedural steps to be taken in establishment of diplomatic relations between US and BD.

2. PriMin Mujib received me at 1930 hours in his official residence, formerly “President’s House”. Since Awami League Council meeting in progress at that time, Sheikh had to absent himself from proceedings for my call, and he was obviously eager to return to this important political meeting as soon as possible. Despite this his reception of me was warm, friendly, and entirely devoid of formality.

3. Mujib opened and read President Nixon’s letter as soon as I handed it to him, and he expressed appreciation for its friendly tone. He said that he thoroughly reciprocated President’s desire to establish diplomatic relations between our two countries at Embassy level and that GOBD would move immediately to establish its Embassy in Washington. I told him that I had been discussing with FonMin Samad technical procedures which would be required, and he said that these would be accomplished with all expediation on the BD side.

4. Mujib then said he was very happy that USG had taken step of recognition; he had all along been aware of great sympathy in the US for the people of BD in their difficulties during the past eighteen months, and he now looked forward to the most friendly future relationships between our two countries at both official and popular levels. I assured him that USG fully shared his view and that we would continue to assist in the international effort to help BD through its present difficult period. Mujib said he was fully aware of the magnitude of US assistance tendered through United Nations and he acknowledged that without that assistance situation in BD would be much worse than it is.

5. Aside from brief reference to plight of Bengalees in Pakistan and his hope that USG and other friendly govts would seek persuade GOP to allow these to return to their homes, Sheikh brought up no matters of substance. For my part, I also refrained from substantive initiatives, merely saying that I looked forward to having useful discussions with members of BD Cabinet and high officials during next few weeks. Sheikh said he hoped to see me again himself in near future and urged that I call on him whenever I feel slightest inclination to do so. Sheikh asked whether there was any problem about communicating report of our interview to Pres, and I assured him there was none on my part to such report, including, if he desired, contents of President’s letter. Sheikh thanked me for this and said that he felt people of BD would appreciate warm and friendly tone of letter.

Spivack

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 16 BANGLADESH. Limited Official Use; Priority. Repeated to Islamabad, Calcutta, and New Delhi. The telegram was sent as originating from the Consulate General in Dacca. The Consulate General, which had been accredited to Pakistan and which existed on sufferance in Dacca after the establishment of Bangladesh, became an Embassy following U.S. recognition.
2. Consul General Spivack reported that he delivered President Nixon’s letter to Bangladesh Prime Minister Rahman who “looked forward to the most friendly future relationships between our two countries at both official and popular levels.”