255. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter1
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Pakistan.]
4. New Military Regime in Pakistan: Pakistani Ambassador Yaqub-Khan called on me July 6 on instructions to say that the military regime had only reluctantly intervened and fully intended to restore the democratic process in Pakistan. He said that only when the political dialogue inside Pakistan had broken down and a civil war threatened the Army felt it had to intervene. While it is General Zia’s intention to hold elections in October, it might not be possible. With Bhutto out of office the opposition bloc may disintegrate and the political parties may have to ask Zia to postpone the elections for a month or two.
The Ambassador said he expected that our bilateral relations with the new regime would improve. He expressed appreciation for US “forbearance” over the past few months and stated that he thought this policy would be shown to have been extremely wise. I noted that we have taken the public line that developments in Pakistan were internal matters on which we would not comment. I also stressed that we do want our bilateral relationship restored.2
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Pakistan.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 18, Evening Reports (State): 7/77. Secret. Carter wrote: “Cy, J” at the top of the memorandum.↩
- In the left-hand margin next to this paragraph, Carter wrote: “Let’s be friendly to new regime—but expect early elections.”↩