South Asia crisis, 1971"The scope of this volume is limited to the political crisis that began in Pakistan in March 1971 with the government's efforts to suppress Bengali demands for virtual autonomy in East Pakistan and concluded with the establishment of the state of Bangladesh at the end of the year. The limited time frame covered by the volume enabled the editor to compile the record of the Nixon administration's response to the crisis in considerable detail. The crisis was managed largely out of the White House by President Nixon and his Assistant for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger, with the support of the National Security Council staff. The focus of the volume is on the management of the crisis by Nixon and Kissinger. The editor selected documentation to trace the evolution of the United States response to the crisis from Nixon's initial reluctance to become involved to his "tilt" toward Pakistan which was highlighted by the despatch of the aircraft carrier Enterprise to the Bay of Bengal to act as a restraint on India in the war that had developed between India and Pakistan as a result of the crisis. Nixon's response to the crisis in Pakistan was conditioned in part by the concern that he and Kissinger had to protect the emerging opening to China, which had been facilitated by Pakistani President Yahya Khan. The volume documents that concern, as well as the assurance offered to China that the United States would protect China from the Soviet Union if China took military action against India in support of Pakistan. The record of the Nixon administration's management of the crisis in South Asia thus also bears importantly on United States relations at the time with China and the Soviet Union. In that respect, the volume should be read in conjunction with Foreign Relations, 1969-1976, volume XVII, China, 1969-1972; volume XIII, Soviet Union, October 1970- October 1971; and volume XIV, Soviet Union, October 1971-May 1971"--Overview. |
From inside the book
Page 7
... Source : National Archives , Nixon Presidential Materials , NSC Files , Box 625 , Country Files , Middle East , Pakistan , Vol . IV , 1 Mar 71-15 May 71. Secret . Sent for information . 2 March 7 . 3 Reference is to talking points ...
... Source : National Archives , Nixon Presidential Materials , NSC Files , Box 625 , Country Files , Middle East , Pakistan , Vol . IV , 1 Mar 71-15 May 71. Secret . Sent for information . 2 March 7 . 3 Reference is to talking points ...
Page 18
... source of authority in the country . Our embassy in Islamabad believes that Rahman's goal remains unchanged- " emancipation " of East Pakistan from West Pakistani domination . This could still conceivably mean " full provincial auton ...
... source of authority in the country . Our embassy in Islamabad believes that Rahman's goal remains unchanged- " emancipation " of East Pakistan from West Pakistani domination . This could still conceivably mean " full provincial auton ...
Page 24
... source text not declassified ] Mujibur Rahman was taken into custody at 1:00 p.m. by the martial law authorities . Two of his supporters were killed when the arrest took place . [ 2 lines of source text not declassified ] [ 11⁄2 lines of ...
... source text not declassified ] Mujibur Rahman was taken into custody at 1:00 p.m. by the martial law authorities . Two of his supporters were killed when the arrest took place . [ 2 lines of source text not declassified ] [ 11⁄2 lines of ...
Page 25
... source text ) not declassified ] Dr. Kissinger : I have no idea what caused the breakdown in talks . I was as much surprised as anyone else . Mr. Van Hollen : One possible reason was that Yahya was unable to sell the settlement in West ...
... source text ) not declassified ] Dr. Kissinger : I have no idea what caused the breakdown in talks . I was as much surprised as anyone else . Mr. Van Hollen : One possible reason was that Yahya was unable to sell the settlement in West ...
Page 40
... Source : National Archives , Nixon Presidential Materials , NSC Files , NSC Institu- tional Files ( H - Files ) , Box H - 112 , SRG Minutes , Originals , 1971. Secret ; Nodis . No draft- ing information is indicated on the source text ...
... Source : National Archives , Nixon Presidential Materials , NSC Files , NSC Institu- tional Files ( H - Files ) , Box H - 112 , SRG Minutes , Originals , 1971. Secret ; Nodis . No draft- ing information is indicated on the source text ...
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Common terms and phrases
action agreed Ambassador Farland army asked Assistant for National attack Awami League Bangla Desh Bengali Bhutto border ceasefire Central Files China Chinese conversation crisis Dacca December December 12 Delhi discussion Document draft East Bengal East Pakistan effort Embassy forces Foreign Minister Foreign Secretary Gandhi Government guerrillas Haig Helms Hilaly Hollen Ibid India India and Pakistan Irwin Islamabad issue Johnson Kissinger Papers Kissinger's meeting memorandum military supply million Moorer move Mujib Mujibur Mukti Bahini National Archives National Security Affairs Nixon Presidential Materials noted NSC Files Packard Pakistan Army political accommodation political settlement President Nixon President Yahya President's Assistant Prime Minister problem refugees relief resolution Saunders Security Council Singh Sisco situation source text South Asia Soviet Union talk Telegram text not declassified tion United Vorontsov Washington West White House Williams WSAG Yahya Khan