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

423. Memorandum For the President’s File¹ ²

Washington, May 16, 1972

SUBJECT:

• Meeting with Enayet Karim, Ambassador Designate of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, on May 16, 1972, at 12:45 p.m.

PARTICIPANTS:

• President Nixon
• Enayet Karim, Ambassador-Designate of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
• Samuel M. Hoskinson, NSC Staff

Mr. Karim called on the President to present a letter from Prime Minister Mujibur Rahman responding to the President’s earlier letter informing of U.S. recognition and desire to establish diplomatic relations at the embassy level. The meeting opened with the President and Mr. Karim posing for pictures by the press.

The President began by saying that the United States desires good and friendly relations with Bangladesh. He realized that Bangladesh had suffered too much and said that we want the new country to succeed. The tragedy of conflict in South Asia must not be repeated. The President pledged that the United States would do everything it could to help Bangladesh survive and to provide hope for the future. He noted that the U.S. had already provided substantial humanitarian assistance to this end.

Mr. Karim then handed Prime Minister Rahman’s letter to the President (he did not open it) and thanked him for taking time from his busy schedule for the occasion. Mr. Karim thanked the President for all the economic assistance the U.S. has provided and said that Bangladesh also looks forward to friendly relations with the U.S., despite the differences of the past.

The President broke in to say that the problems of conflict are past and that we must build a better future together. He then told Mr. Karim of Bengalis, such as Mohammed Ali, whom he had known and liked in the past. The President said that he had never met Mujib but he hoped very much to do so some day.

As Mr. Karim departed, the President wished him good luck in setting up his new mission here in Washington.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 17 BANGLADESH–US. Confidential; Exdis. Drafted by Hoskinson.
2. Ambassador-Designate Karim made his initial call on President Nixon who pledged that the United States would do everything it could to help Bangladesh survive and to provide hope for the future.