Office of the Historian

361. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan1

Washington, September 5, 1979, 1712Z

232800. For Ambassador or Charge only. Subject: Newsom-Zia Meeting: Afghanistan. Ref: Islamabad 9986.2

1. (S) Entire text.

2. Question of Afghanistan and outside assistance to insurgents was discussed briefly by Under Secretary Newsom and President Zia during broader meeting September 1, in New York. Other subjects septels.3 Deputy Assistant Secretary Constable and NEA/PAB Director Peck sat in. Attending on the Pak side were Ambassador Sultan Khan, Consul General Khurshid Hyder, Presidential Chief of Staff MGen Arif, and Toquir Hussain.

3. Newsom noted he was aware of subjects raised during Zia’s August 31 meeting with Ambassador Hummel. Regarding Afghanistan, we are cooperating with Pakistanis and will continue to do so. The particular dimension Zia mentioned to Hummel is difficult for us, but we may provide medical kits and other medical equipment. We welcome Pakistan’s interest.

4. Zia replied that recent events had proved that there is tremendous scope for encouraging the insurgency to continue, though whether the rebels would be able to overthrow the regime was debatable. Whatever measures “one can take” to revitalize the insurgency or to support it would be worthwhile and in the interests of the free world. He stressed the need for all elements among the rebels to unite. There was no cohesive leadership. He thought that by giving assistance—of whatever sort, including medical or humanitarian—it would keep alive hope among the rebels.

Vance
  1. Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, Roger Channel, Tin: 980643000018, Box 13, Islamabad 1971–1979. Secret; Priority; Roger Channel. Sent for information Priority to Kabul. Drafted by Peck, cleared by Constable and McAfee; approved by Newsom.↩
  2. In telegram 9986 from Islamabad, August 31, the Embassy reported Hummel’s August 31 meeting with Zia. The two discussed a number of issues, including the 170,000 Afghan refugees inside Pakistani territory. Zia also requested that the United States support the Afghan dissidents inside Afghanistan who were fighting Taraki’s government. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850040–2099)↩
  3. See Document 360 and footnote 2 thereto.↩