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

40. Telegram 26227 From the Department of State to the Embassies in Bangladesh and Pakistan¹ ²

Washington, February 5, 1975, 1739Z.

Subject:

• Message for Bhutto

Ref:

• Dacca 177

1. Bangladesh Ambassador Hosain Ali met with Under Secretary Sisco February 4 to request that Secretary Kissinger convey message to Pakistan Prime Minister Bhutto about Bangladesh’s position on normalization of Pakistan/Bangladesh relations. BDG believes solutions to mutual problems must be found, is willing resume discussions without preconditions, and will agree to talks at any appropriate level. Sisco agreed to convey request to Secretary.

2. Ali’s presentation was not so specific about level of talks as that of Kamal Hossain cited reftel. He covered no new ground, but emphasized that Bangladesh in its present desperate economic situation has no political stake in allowing stand-off to continue. Memcon being pouched.

Kissinger

1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Middle East and South Asia, Box 2, Bangladesh-State Department Telegrams, From Secretary of State Exdis. Confidential; Priority; Exdis. It was drafted by Griffin (NEA/PAB); cleared by NEA; and approved by Sisco. It was repeated to New Delhi. In Telegram 177 from Dhaka, January 10, Boster reported on Hossain’s request. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files)
2. Bangladeshi Ambassador Hossain Ali met with Undersecretary of State Joseph Sisco to ask that Secretary of State Kissinger convey a message to Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan.