Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXV, South Asia

520. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan¹

Washington, October 26, 1968, 1754Z.

262361. Ref: Rawalpindi’s 8628.² For Ambassador.

1. You authorized inform GOP at October 29 meeting that USG agrees generally to Peshawar withdrawal proposal presented in Foreign Secretary Yusuf’s October 20 Aide-mémoire as reported para 5 reftel. You should indicate USG would like formalize understanding through exchange of notes. Proposed text of USG note in para 4 below.

2. Believe you should reiterate orally to Yusuf that, while dismantling of most conspicuous antenna will begin well before July 17, 1969, we will wish maintain selected antenna to December 31, 1969. You may wish also to point out that, if GOP should wish, we are prepared to leave some antenna on departure.

3. FYI: If proposed arrangement concluded satisfactorily, we are prepared cease Sugar Tree operations also by December 31, 1969. End FYI.

4. Following is proposed text USG note for presentation October 29 meeting:

Begin Text: Excellency: I refer to recent discussions between representatives of our two Governments regarding the forthcoming termination of the Agreement on the Establishment of a Communications Unit in Pakistan, signed at Karachi, July 18, 1959. As a result of these discussions, it is agreed that:

A. Dismantling, packing and removal of certain facilities, installations and equipment shall commence in January 1969. This will be accompanied by a staggered thinning down of U.S. personnel.

B. All of the facilities, installations and equipment remaining on July 17, 1969 shall be dismantled no later than December 31, 1969, in accordance with a fixed monthly program which shall be separately agreed.

C. All dismantled facilities, installations and equipment shall be packed and crated and be removed from Pakistan as early as possible and in no event later than February 28, 1970. All remaining base personnel will be evacuated completely from Pakistan by the same date.

D. The rights, privileges, and immunities which the Pakistan Government has previously accorded to U.S. personnel and property at the Peshawar facility will be extended to cover the period from July 18, 1969 until February 28, 1970.

Upon the receipt of a note from you indicating that the foregoing proposal is acceptable to the Government of Pakistan, the Government of the United States of America will consider that this note and your reply constitute an agreement between the two Governments on this subject, the agreement to enter into force on the date of your note in reply.³

Accept, Excellency, et cetera. End Text.

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, DEF 15–10 PAK-US. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Drafted by Spain on October 24; cleared by Handley, Wolf, Curl, Van Hollen, Robert H. Neuman (L/NEA), Colonel Kravitz (DOD/ISA), Admiral Showers (DIA), Sheldon, and Saunders; and approved by Katzenbach. Repeated to CINCSTRIKE.
2. Document 517.
3. Oehlert met on October 29 with Foreign Secretary Yusuf and General Akbar and presented the note. Yusuf and Akhbar indicated that the U.S. response appeared to be satisfactory. (Telegram 8845 from Rawalpindi, October 29; National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, DEF 15–10 PAK-US) The Foreign Ministry returned a note to the Embassy on November 1 accepting the Embassy’s note as the basis for agreement. (The texts of both notes were transmitted to Washington as enclosures to airgram A–641 from Rawalpindi, November 14; ibid.