269. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Turkey1
509. You should deliver following personal message from President direct to President Ayub during his stopover Ankara 3 pm tomorrow:
“Mr. President: After reflecting on our candid talks I am convinced that we are back on an upward track in US-Pakistan relations. As a mark of my confidence, I have told David Bell to proceed with five loan agreements for the Mangla Dam Transmission Lines, the Lahore-Multan Highway, Sui Gas, Diesel Locomotives for your western railway, and a major loan for investigation and consulting services for the West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority. We will not announce these now, but can do so at the time the loan agreements are signed. We are also looking urgently into the matter of starter motors and spare parts for your C 130’s to deliver food in your northern areas. Again I must say that I regard our talks as a major step toward re-establishment of mutual confidence, and am very glad that you came.2 Signed Lyndon B. Johnson.”
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, AID (US) 9 PAK. Secret; Flash; Exdis. Drafted in the White House, cleared by Komer, and approved by Hare. Repeated to Karachi.↩
- The Embassy in Turkey reported that the message was delivered to Ayub at the Ankara airport on December 18. (Ibid., Conference Files: Lot 66 D 347, CF 2569) On December 20 Ayub expressed his gratitude for the swift action on the loan agreements in a letter to Johnson. (Ayub’s letter was conveyed in a letter from Ambassador Ahmed to Secretary Rusk, December 20; ibid., Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 476, Lebanon thru Pakistan) The Embassy in India was informed of the decisions taken on these loans in telegram 1088 to New Delhi, December 20. The telegram noted that the loans had been previously authorized out of FY 1965 funds, and did not represent a new FY 1966 commitment. (Ibid., Central Files 1964–66, AID (US) 9 PAK)↩