Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–8, Documents on South Asia, 1973–1976

130. Telegram 4712 From the Embassy in Pakistan to the Department of State¹ ²

Islamabad, June 8, 1973, 1142Z.

Subject:

• Bhutto’s Appeal for Help on Domestic Political Problem

Ref:

• State 109643

1. I was called on short notice June 8 to see Bhutto, now back Rawalpindi, soon after receiving reftel, which apparently crossed report of my June 6 meeting with Bhutto at Nathiagali (Islamabad 4659). He gave me piece of paper with message which he said he hoped I would convey to Bizenjo in response latter’s counterproposal. Basically Bhutto’s position remains unchanged from initial proposal.

2. I said I would be glad to try to reach Bizenjo and pass President’s second message. I then went on to say I hoped I might have been helpful in some way in this delicate exercise, and that I had been pleased to try to be helpful, but that I thought this was a good time for me to bow out. Even with best of intentions, there was risk that my role would become known and that some uninformed or malicious person would exploit it to detriment of USG and US/Pak friendship. I said I assumed Bhutto would be able to carry on exercise now begun and that I wished him success in finding basis for agreement he sought.

3. Bhutto said immediately that he understood. Last thing he wanted was for USG to suffer any damage. He agreed that I should drop matter upon conveying his latest message to Bizenjo, and thanked me warmly for what I had been willing to do.

4. This disengagement effected rather naturally, inasmuch as Bhutto is leaving Rawalpindi very shortly for some extended stay in provinces, I shall make final report this exercise when I have been able to reach Bizenjo and pass final message to him.

Sober

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15–1 PAK. Confidential; Priority; Exdis; Stadis; Eyes Only for Sisco.
2. Chargé Sydney Sober reported to Assistant Secretary of State of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Sisco that, as instructed, he had informed Bhutto that he could no longer act as an intermediary in the Baluchistan conflict.