Office of the Historian

37. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between President Nixon and His Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig)1

Washington, April 29, 1971, ca. 9:30 a.m.

[Omitted here is discussion on Vietnam.]

P: And on the situation with regard to …I note one thing in here with regard to aid to India. Someone is saying we are contemplating sending aid to help the Pakistani refugees. I hope to hell weʼre not, but what about this?

H: No, weʼve not been planning that. Thereʼs been some talk about our assistance to East Pakistan …

P: For the refugees?

H: Yes.

P: But through East Pakistan?

H: Yes.

P: What about the reaction from India? Have we had one?

H: Not that Iʼm aware of.

P: But we can say our attitude toward the refugees is separate …

H: Humanitarian.

P: One question, whether the U.S. is helping to end the fighting in Pakistan as the Russians are. What about that?

H: The fighting is about over—there is considerable stability now …

P: But what have the Russians done?

H: Nothing positive in substantive support. Thereʼs been a lot of propaganda noises, but then they back off.

[Omitted here is discussion on the Middle East and Southeast Asia.]

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 998, Haig Chronological File, Haig Telcons 1971. No classification marking.↩