249. Memorandum From Acting Secretary of State Christopher to President Carter1
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Pakistan.]
Pakistan. Bhutto announced yesterday that the opposition had “slammed the door” on the possibility of a negotiated settlement, presumably including new elections. He simultaneously announced that he would hold a national referendum at an unspecified date to determine whether he should remain in office. He rejected new elections as too disturbing for Pakistan and offering “foreign powers” an opportunity to intervene. The referendum proposal is unlikely to change the basic political situation, but it may buy Bhutto more time in the face of an incipient revival of agitation and increased military disenchantment.
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Pakistan.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 18, Evening Reports (State): 5/77. Secret. Carter initialed at the top of the memorandum.↩