414. Telegram 55123 From the Department of State to the Embassy in France1 2
Subject:
- Recognition of Bangladesh
1. President has concluded we should now recognize Bangladesh, and we plan announcement this effect April 4, coincident with delivery in Dacca of presidential message to Mujibur Rahman.
2. You should inform PRC Ambassador as soon as possible of decision and ask him deliver following message to his government:
During the discussions in Peking our assessments on the situation in South Asia were shared, including the question of the recognition of Bangladesh. Since then the matter has again been carefully reviewed and it has been decided that the situation in South Asia has evolved to the point where the US should extend recognition and simultaneously establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. It is our intention to make an announcement to this effect on April 4. This decision is based on the belief that it is important to help insure stability in the South Asian subcontinent.”
3. You should ask PRC Ambassador to hold this information in closest confidence until our announcement made.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL Chicom–US. Secret; Priority; Nodis; Homer. Drafted by Laingen and Van Hollen; cleared by Davies and Sisco, in EA by Deputy Assistant Secretary Winthrop G. Brown, and by Kissinger; and approved by Rogers.↩
- The Embassy was instructed to inform the Chinese Ambassador that that the United States intended to recognize Bangladesh on April 4.↩