Foreign Relations, 1969-1976, Volume E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972
Docs 122-197
India and Pakistan: Crisis and War, March-December 1971
122. Editorial Note
The political crisis in Pakistan, which escalated into civil war in East Pakistan in March 1971, ultimately led to armed conflict between India and Pakistan and convulsed the subcontinent of South Asia through the end of the year. Most of the important documents bearing on the United States response to that crisis are in Foreign Relations, 1969?1976, South Asia Crisis, 1971. The documents in this electronic publication for that period supplement, and should be read in conjunction with, the printed volume.
123. Memorandum From the Staff Secretary of the National Security Council (Davis) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Packard), Washington, March 3, 1971
Davis circulated to members of the Senior Review Group the response to NSSM 118, a contingency study that examined the policy options available to the United States in the event of a move by East Pakistan to secede.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H?053, SRG Meeting, Pakistan, 3/6/71. Secret; Exdis. Keith Guthrie signed for Davis. Also sent to Irwin, JCS Chairman Moorer, and CIA Director Helms. A copy of the contingency study in the Department of State files indicates that it was prepared by the NSC Interdepartmental Group for Near East and South Asia and forwarded to Kissinger on March 2 by Sisco, who was serving as chairman of the group. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970?73, POL 1 PAK?US) The Senior Review Group meeting scheduled for March 3 was held on March 6.
124. Telegram 697 From the Consulate General in Dacca to the Department of State, March 10, 1971, 1205Z
Awami leader Mujibur Rahman sent a message to the Consulate General to ask if the U.S. would be willing to indicate to Pakistani President Yahya its preference for a political solution to the crisis.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970?73, POL PAK. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to Islamabad, London, Karachi, Lahore, New Delhi, and priority Bangkok for Farland.
125. Telegram 959 From the Consulate General in Dacca to the Department of State, March 28, 1971, 0540Z
The Consulate General in Dacca began its report on the crisis on March 28 as follows: “Here in Dacca we are mute and horrified witnesses to a reign of terror by the PAK military.”
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970?73, POL 23?9 PAK. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Also sent to Islamabad. Repeated priority to London, Bangkok, New Delhi, Karachi, Lahore, Calcutta, CINCSTRIKE, CINCPAC, and MAC.
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