Office of the Historian

60. Memorandum of Conversation1 2

Washington, May 21, 1970, 2:30–3 p.m.

SUBJECT:

  • Discussion with Ambassador Joseph S. Farland

Participants:

  • Department of Defense
  • Secretary of Defense—Melvin R. Laird
  • Assistant Secretary of Defense (ISA)—G. Warren Nutter
  • ISA Assistant for South Asia—Colonel Seymour Kravitz
  • Department of State
  • U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan—Mr. Joseph S. Farland
  • Country Director for Pakistan—William Spengler
[Page 1]

1. US/Pakistani Relations

Ambassador Farland gave a brief resume of US/Pak relations. He summed up by stating that the lack of decision on the U.S. military supply policy has caused the Paks to turn increasingly to the Chinese and Russians. He stated that the Paks considered that President Johnson had made a commitment to get them tanks and that President Nixon had indicated sympathy toward that commitment. The Ambassador estimated that US/PAK relations had taken a marked turn for the worse since the end of February.

2. Military Supply Policy

Ambassador Farland recounted a recent meeting during which the Chief of the Pak Army Staff said that they had to be prepared to defend Pakistan and would secure the necessary equipment where they could, despite higher cost. The Chief of Staff said his main worry was not the added costs of purchasing from “other” sources, but the commitment that goes with the purchase. Following a discussion of how much equipment the Chinese have already provided to Pakistan, Mr. Laird questioned whether Pakistan was not already committed to China. Mr. Farland opined there is still some leeway but that time is growing short and the Pak feeling of disenchantment with the U.S. is growing. As an example, he cited his attempts since [Page 2] March to get an appointment to present to President Yahya Khan from President Nixon, the moon rock and Pak flag which had been carried to the moon by U.S. astronauts. He has been denied an audience and at the same time has been politely informed of the need for the U.S. to sell lethal end items to Pakistan. The Ambassador also told how much better reception in the Pak press the Chinese enjoy as contrasted to the U.S. Their small moves are given greater and more favorable play than much larger U.S. activities in Pakistan. Mr. Laird stated that the Ambassador’s report was so pessimistic that perhaps it was too late to do anything. The Ambassador assured him we still have time but that our options are being reduced rapidly.

3. Pak Commitments to the USSR and Communist China

Mr. Laird asked Mr. Farland what the Chinese Communists and Soviet Union hoped to get for their favors to Pakistan. The Ambassador said that possibly China is seeking increased Communist control of the states between China and the Bay of Bengal. If Burma, Assam and East Pakistan were under Communist control, China would effectively outflank Southeast Asia and if communists gained control of Pakistan, China could outflank India as well. He added that the Russians are probably seeking more influence in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf and looked for help from Pakistan in this regard.

4. Tanks for Pakistan

Ambassador Farland stressed the need to provide some tanks for Pakistan. A discussion ensued as to whether the third country route remains feasible. There was general agreement that it will not be as easy to do now as it would have been some months ago. The question of proposed Congressional amendments to the Foreign Military Sales bill was considered and Congressional attitudes discussed. The Ambassador said that he has talked to many people on the Hill and has a feeling that a change is in the wind. The Secretary expressed a hope that the Ambassador is right and he and Mr. Nutter assured Mr. Farland that DOD is working along the same lines as he is.

5. Conclusion

After an exchange of courtesies, the meeting ended.

  1. Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files, FRC 73 A 1975, Box 22, Pakistan 1970, 000.1–100. Secret. Drafted by Kravitz and approved by Nutter on May 26. The conversation was held in Laird’s office.↩
  2. Ambassador Farland warned Secretary of Defense Laird that Pakistan was disappointed with the U.S. and was turning increasingly to China and the Soviet Union for military supplies.↩