Office of the Historian

361. Memorandum From the Ambassador to Pakistan (Locke) to President Johnson1

Washington, July 26, 1966.

Mr. President:

1.
My jobs are to:
A.
Keep India and Pakistan from fighting;
B.
Keep Pakistan from being too close to China.
2.
From point of view of doing these jobs, Ayub best man U.S. can have as President of Pakistan. He doesn’t want to get too close to China, perhaps for reasons of personal survival. But he may be forced toward China if he can’t otherwise obtain security against India. Some leading generals do not see dependence on China as threat to Pakistan.
3.
Many leading Pakistanis, particularly in Army, feel U.S. would sacrifice Pakistan for India. Ayub does not at this time, primarily because of friendship for President Johnson. He believes Bowles would sacrifice Pakistan and made strong pitch for Bowles’ removal, with man “strong enough to stand up to India”. I shall meet Bowles next week in Hong Kong or Bangkok.
4.
Ayub has shown his good faith by
A.
Firing Bhutto
B.
Conduct at SEATO meeting
C.
Not particularly warm reception of Chou En-lai
D.
Cut off of any Assembly remarks on Hanoi and Haiphong bombing.
5.
We need to keep faith with him by helping him feel secure against India without his getting closer to China. This means first furnishing spare parts.
6.
We also need to get India-Pakistan talks started on arms limitations and other matters. These talks must include Kashmir. Real progress on Kashmir can only be achieved, however, by secret meetings. Many believe Kashmir insolvable. I believe we must try to find solution, as otherwise no chance of lasting peace on subcontinent. Talks must be bilateral secret talks between the two countries at first; but, if at some later time settlement can be achieved by heavy handed U.S. approach, we should not hesitate.

Eugene M. Locke 2
  1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Pakistan, Vol. VI, Cables, 1/66–9/66. No classification marking. Locke returned to Washington for consultations following his first 10 days as Ambassador. According to a July 25 briefing memorandum prepared for President Johnson by Rostow, Locke was scheduled to meet with Johnson on July 26. (Ibid.) No record of that meeting has been found. Locke probably his memorandum to Johnson at that meeting.↩
  2. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩