246. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan1
96447. For delivery to Charge at opening of business. Subject: Message for the Prime Minister.
1. You should deliver the following letter from the Secretary to the Prime Minister:
[Page 606]Quote: Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I have very carefully reviewed Ambassador Byroade’s report on his last meeting with you,2 and was disturbed to learn that in a speech to Parliament on April 28 you severely criticized the United States and accused us of gross interference in Pakistan’s domestic affairs.3
I would like to underscore that Ambassador Byroade spoke accurately and authoritatively in rejecting allegations of U.S. support for your political opponents. The United States Government is not engaged in any form of interference in Pakistan’s domestic affairs and has no intention of becoming so involved. We have given no assistance, financial or otherwise, to any political organizations or individuals in Pakistan.
Despite occasional differences on specific points, we have continued to work with your government on a broad range of issues. I am sure that you are aware, for example, that economic assistance has continued and that military equipment sales and shipments have never been interrupted. We would like to continue the close and cooperative relationship with Pakistan.
We are always prepared to discuss any concerns you may have quietly and dispassionately. Considering the long history of close and amicable relations between our two countries I suggest that we seek ways to avoid public charges which can only damage our relations.4
Sincerely, Cyrus Vance.
End quote.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770149–0230. Confidential; Niact Immediate. Drafted by Lande; cleared by Atherton and Habib and in S/S; approved by Vance.↩
- See footnote 6, Document 242.↩
- In an April 28 memorandum, Vance informed Carter that “Bhutto told the National Assembly April 28 that Pakistan was being ‛flooded’ with dollars from the U.S. for his opponents. He identified the U.S. only as the ‛superpower’ earlier involved in Viet-Nam. Bhutto alleged there was ‛an international conspiracy against Islamic Pakistan’. He charged that two American diplomats, in a telephone conversation after the March 7 elections, said ‛the party is over. He has to go.’ This afternoon, Under Secretary Habib called the Pakistani Ambassador to reject these charges as false and tendentious. Also, we have issued a strong public denial. I have sent a message to Bhutto making clear that his charges are groundless and urging that any differences between us be aired in private.” In the left-hand margin next to the preceding three sentences, Carter initialed: “C.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 18, Evening Reports (State): 4/77)↩
- Telegram 4387 from Islamabad, April 30, transmitted reports received from foreign journalists that Bhutto was “driving around Pindi, stopping at street corners and addressing crowds. As part of speech, he is waving a piece of paper and saying it is a letter from Secretary Vance. We do not yet have definitive report of what he is specifically saying.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770152–0459) According to telegram 99755 to Islamabad, May 3, Vance’s April 28 letter to Bhutto was publicly released during a May 3 Department of State press briefing. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770154–1305)↩