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 93
... Indicated Pak army staying away from Indian border . 7. On situation East Pakistan , Hilaly said military " mopping up " and will complete job in about five days . Dismissed threat of monsoon rains as inhibition to military operation ...
... Indicated Pak army staying away from Indian border . 7. On situation East Pakistan , Hilaly said military " mopping up " and will complete job in about five days . Dismissed threat of monsoon rains as inhibition to military operation ...
Page 101
... indicated that he had authorized the release to various U.S. volunteer agencies in India of sufficient food to feed 175,000 refugees for a period of up to 3 months . ( Telegram 6720 from New Delhi , May 3 ; ibid . , REF PAK ) 3 In ...
... indicated that he had authorized the release to various U.S. volunteer agencies in India of sufficient food to feed 175,000 refugees for a period of up to 3 months . ( Telegram 6720 from New Delhi , May 3 ; ibid . , REF PAK ) 3 In ...
Page 108
... indicated that he would take this issue up with Peterson or Shultz , and that he would report on his meeting with Mc- Namara through the Navy channel . [ 2 % lines of source text not declassi- fied ] Mr. Kissinger agreed that this was a ...
... indicated that he would take this issue up with Peterson or Shultz , and that he would report on his meeting with Mc- Namara through the Navy channel . [ 2 % lines of source text not declassi- fied ] Mr. Kissinger agreed that this was a ...
Page 109
... indicated , by way of summary , that he would : ( 1 ) Have Hannah told that we want a positive attitude and six months time ; ( 2 ) Talk to McNamara along the lines above ; ( 3 ) Look into the IMF Loan ; ( 4 ) Personally talk to Heath ...
... indicated , by way of summary , that he would : ( 1 ) Have Hannah told that we want a positive attitude and six months time ; ( 2 ) Talk to McNamara along the lines above ; ( 3 ) Look into the IMF Loan ; ( 4 ) Personally talk to Heath ...
Page 127
... indicated our in- tention to support his efforts . To the degree that we alleviate the strain 1 Source : National Archives , RG 59 , Central Files 1970-73 , POL 27 INDIA - PAK . Confidential . Drafted by Quainton on May 17 and cleared ...
... indicated our in- tention to support his efforts . To the degree that we alleviate the strain 1 Source : National Archives , RG 59 , Central Files 1970-73 , POL 27 INDIA - PAK . Confidential . Drafted by Quainton on May 17 and cleared ...
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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