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

46. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon¹ ²

Washington, January 31, 1970

SUBJECT :

• Reply from President Yahya Khan

President Yahya has sent the attached reply to your general letter. His response is in the same spirit of a general exchange of views as your letter to him. In brief, he covers these points:

1. Pakistan’s vital concern in Asian stability.

2. His wish for success in U.S. efforts to develop a meaningful dialogue with China.

3. Pakistan’s encouragement for our efforts for peace in the Mid-East, opposition to use of force to gain territory and belief that a lasting settlement must take into account the interests of
the Palestinian Arabs.

4. Pleasure in U.S.-Pakistani bilateral relations and appreciation for your prompt action on food shipments.

5. Need to press urgently toward a decision on military supply policy.

6. Appreciation for your November 3 speech.

No reply now is necessary, but I shall keep my eyes open for a natural opportunity to continue this exchange.

The military supply question is ready for NSC discussion at the next opportunity.

Attachment

Letter From Pakistani President Yahya to President Nixon

Rawalpindi, January 19, 1970

Dear Mr. President,

Thank you very much for your letter of the 20th December in which you have reviewed developments in Asia and the Middle East since we had the pleasure of welcoming you in our midst last summer. I am glad that the process of personal exchange of views started in Lahore is being kept up through correspondence.

As you very well know, Mr. President, in our situation and because also of the imperatives of our ideology, we cannot but be vitally concerned in the peace, stability and progress of Asia. We welcome all developments and initiatives which hold promise of promoting these objectives, and are heartened by your own and your great country’s continuing interest in them.

It is our belief that a meaningful dialogue between the United States and China could help reduce tensions and serve the cause of peace. We wish you success in your efforts in this direction.

We have watched with great interest your Administration’s efforts to break the deadlock in the Middle East and to bring lasting peace and stability to this deeply troubled area. Pakistan’s strong opposition to the use of force to gain territory is well-known. So is its unstinted support for the exercise of the right of self-determination by all peoples. We hope, Mr. President, that your great country will be able to exercise its tremendous influence to bring about a lasting settlement in the region which conforms to the principles of the United Nations Charter and is consistent with the dignity and honour of the Arab people. It is our belief that, judging by the experience of the last 22 years, any settlement which fails to take into account the interests and wishes of the Palistinian Arabs will at best prove ephemeral and illusory. The Security Council resolution of November 1967, provides a basis acceptable to the Governments of the UAR and Jordan on which a settlement can be worked out. It is not inconsistent with the considerations I have set forth above. I very much hope that the efforts made by your Government in that direction will meet with success.

Happily relations between our two countries are, as you said, going well. We are grateful for your personal interest which led to a smooth arrangement for PL–480 foodgrains supplies. The uncertainty regarding the foreign aid legislation is causing some anxiety to our planners, but we are hoping that any cuts in new appropriations will not be reflected pro-rata in our allocation which will be as near as possible to the figure indicated to us last summer during your and Secretary Rogers’ visits.

You have referred, Mr. President, to the delays in reviewing your military supply policy. I feel that there is need to press ahead urgently with this matter. For a decade Pakistan had depended on the United States as its major, rather sole, supplier of defence equipment. The ban imposed more than four years ago has operated greatly to Pakistan’s disadvantage. As I explained to you, we have neither the desire not the capacity for an arms race with India, but unless we have a minimum, credible deterrent, peace and stability in the region are likely to be in jeopardy.

It was nice of you to send me a copy of your address of the 3rd November on the Pursuit of Peace. This gave me an opportunity to read it again in the background of the highly favourable impact it has had on your countrymen.

There is a golf course here in Rawalpindi next to my house, but it is not often that I can get to play a round. At this rate, I am in danger of soon becoming an ‘elder statesman’ of the game!

Yours sincerely,

Yahya Khan

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 759, Presidential Correspondence File, Pakistan (1969–1970). Secret. Sent for information. The attached letter from President Yahya to President Nixon is dated January 19. The December 20 letter to which Yahya responded can be found ibid. The reference to a speech on November 3, 1969, is to Nixon’s address to the nation on the war in Vietnam. For text, see Public Papers: Nixon, 1969, pp. 901–909. Nixon underlined the last seven words of point 5 and added the following handwritten instructions in the margin: “1 Let’s give them spare parts immediately as basis of keeping the US word. 2 I lean to the Turkish tanks unless it raises too much hell with Congress. I don’t care about Indian reaction.” He also wrote on the memorandum: “K–doesn’t this show advantage of our letter idea? Let’s continue the practice on a selective basis.”
2. Kissinger summarized a letter to Nixon from Pakistani President Yahya in which Yahya pressed for a decision on military supply policy. Nixon indicated that he was disposed to respond favorably.