482. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson1
Mr. President:
Herewith a longer get well message to Ayub.2 It mentions both the wheat and the tanks you discussed with him at the Karachi airport.
On wheat we are moving ahead with the first 500,000 tons you discussed. We will go ahead with the second 500,000 tons as soon as the first agreement is signed.
On tanks the Paks have approached Belgium—with our blessing—to accept the Belgian offer of reconditioned tanks at a reasonable price. In the meantime, however, the Belgian Foreign Office has caught wind of what their defense ministry is doing and is trying to get the Prime Minister to revoke the offer. If they succeed, the Italians are panting to step into the breach.
[Page 946]However this comes out, it looks as though Pakistan will get the tanks. But I think it would be unwise for you to get very far out on a limb in promising them.
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, Walt W. Rostow, Vol. 59, February 1–6, 1968. Confidential.↩
- The message approved by the President was transmitted to Rawalpindi on February 3 in telegram 109738 for delivery to President Ayub. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 15–1 PAK) On February 16 the Embassy confirmed reports that Ayub had suffered a heart attack. (Telegram 3421 from Rawalpindi; Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Pakistan, Vol. VIII, Cables, 8/67–4/68)↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩
- None of the options is checked.↩