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

76. Memorandum for the Record¹ ²

Washington, September 24, 1970

SUBJECT:

• Conversation with the President, September 24, 1970—MILITARY SUPPLY

I referred to my conversation with President Yahya on September 8 and gave the gist of my cable reporting on the military supply aspect. I conveyed to the President Yahya’s deep appreciation for the message I had delivered to him on June 20, which according to Yahya had strengthened his resolve to avoid asking the Soviets for any further arms. Further, I noted Yahya’s comment to me that he does not “cherish the communist embrace.”

I then explained to the President the reasons why the intended consultation with Congress has not yet been undertaken. The President thereupon asked Dr. Kissinger where the action stood and Dr. Kissinger said that it was still in the Department of State. The President then directed Dr. Kissinger to tell Mr. Sisco to move ahead on this at once, adding that he had made a decision, wanted it implemented promptly, and that politically this was the right time.

I then recalled that Yahya had told the President in Lahore last year of his problems in financing arms purchases, adding that Yahya had mentioned to me on September 8 that he greatly appreciated the package offer of which we had informed him tentatively in June, but that he might lack the money to follow through. Yahya had not specifically asked for credit as such but had expressed the hope that some arrangement could be worked out to help him purchase the arms we were prepared to sell. The President said he had made a decision and we should attempt to find a way to make it effective, otherwise the decision would have no meaning. The President asked Dr. Kissinger to look into this aspect and Dr. Kissinger said he would see what could be worked out.

1. Source: Department of State, NEA/PAB Files: Lot 78 D 98, Military Supply–PAK Requests. Secret; Nodis. Prepared by Farland. For the message delivered by Farland to Yahya on June 20, see Document 67
2. Ambassador Farland summarized his conversation with President Nixon during which he reported on Pakistani President Yahya’s enthusiastic reaction to Nixon’s offer of a one-time exception to the embargo on military sales to Pakistan.