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

41. Telegram 29604 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Bangladesh¹ ²

Washington, February 9, 1975, 0447Z.

Subject:

• Message for Fakhruddin Ahmed

Ref:

• Dacca 674

For Ambassador from Secretary

1. In absence of Foreign Minister Kamal Hossain, please inform Foreign Secretary Fakhruddin Ahmed that I discussed BDG readiness to talk about normalization of relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh with Pakistani Prime Minister Bhutto during his Washington visit. I pointed out that your government has told us of its willingness to undertake discussions without preconditions. Bhutto replied that Pakistan remains ready to resume discussions with Bangladesh at any time. We did not discuss substance of issues, but agreed that I would pass this message on to you.

2. FYI: I did not get the impression that Bhutto plans to undertake any initiative on disputes between Pakistan and Bangladesh. End FYI.

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; Immediate; Exdis. It was drafted by Griffin; cleared by NEA; and approved by Kissinger. It was repeated to Islamabad and New Delhi.
2. The Department transmitted Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s reply to the Bangladeshi feeler about negotiations.