Office of the Historian

392. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1 2

Washington, February 4, 1972, 10:34 p.m.

P: What’s the dope today?

K: Nothing of very great significance. Bhutto has indicated he has no objection to our recognizing Bangla Desh. I think we should hold up on that until you talk to Chou. It would give you an opportunity to show how much you take them into consideration.

P: Sure. Either that or send them a message asking what they think about our doing that.

K: Well, it’s only two weeks away. I think we can handle it.

P: That’s not a big issues.

K: No, and you can make points on it with the Chinese. Do it after you’re back and it will show our compatibility with the Chinese. But it means we ought to be able to do it in March.

[Omitted here is conversation that does not relate to Bangladesh.]

  1. Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box 371, Telephone Conversations, Chronological File. No classification marking.↩
  2. Nixon and Kissinger discussed recognition of Bangladesh and decided to delay it until after Nixon had the opportunity to discuss the issue with Chinese Premier Chou En-Lai.↩