Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XIX, South Asia

271. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan¹

Washington, February 2, 1978, 0251Z

29943. Exdis for Ambassador. Subject: General Zia’s Letter to President Carter.

1. On January 31 Pak Embassy delivered following letter for President Carter from General Zia:

Quote:

Dear Mr. President, Ambassador Hummel has conveyed the message you were good enough to send to me while overflying Pakistan on the conclusion of your visit to India.² I thank you for it and for your kind words about my country’s role in the international field and specially in regard to the normalization of relations among the states of South Asia.

We are disappointed that you could not come to Pakistan during your recent tour of seven countries.³ I venture to hope that before long there would be an opportunity for you to visit Pakistan. I assure you of a warm and enthusiastic reception.

We welcome the reaffirmation of American support for the territorial integrity, development and independence of Pakistan and the assurance of abiding U.S. friendship for Pakistan which reflect the true spirit of the mutuality of interests and the close and enduring ties that link our two countries. Your declaration that the sovereign equality, security and integrity of every nation is essential for world peace and stability will be widely acclaimed both for its substance and timeliness. It will help promote a correct perception of U.S. policies in South Asia.

Mr. President, we appreciate and admire your profound regard for human rights and democratic values. This is a concern we share with you in a very real way. I am making strenuous efforts for an early restoration of our democratic institutions. Continued moral support of friends such as the United States will help us in achieving this goal speedily.

With my warm personal regards and assurances of highest esteem and consideration. General (M. Zia-ul-Haq) Unquote.

2. We are considering appropriate reply.⁴

Vance

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780053–0938. Confidential; Exdis. Drafted by Berry; cleared by Thornton and Dubs and in S/S–O; approved by Mulligan.
2. Telegram Secto 13060 to Islamabad, January 3, transmitted Carter’s brief message to Zia: “As I depart South Asia, I want to extend to you and the citizens of Pakistan my warmest greetings. The people of Pakistan and the United States have a history of long, close and mutually beneficial relations. That tie is strengthened by our shared belief that for the sovereign equality, security and integrity of every nation is essential for world peace and stability. Support for the territorial integrity, development and independence of Pakistan remains an enduring principle of American foreign policy.” Carter also expressed admiration for Pakistani efforts to normalize South Asian relations. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780005–0254) Carter visited India January 1–3; see Documents 90–92.
3. From December 29, 1977, through January 6, 1978, Carter visited Poland, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, and Belgium.
4. In a February 6 memorandum to Brzezinski, Tarnoff argued in favor of sending a response from Carter to Zia’s letter. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence With Foreign Leaders File, Box 15, Pakistan: President Zia-ul-Haq, 2/78–7/79) In a February 8 memorandum to Brzezinski, Thornton noted that the opposition to sending a response at the working level in the Department of State had initially been overcome at a higher level, but Hummel had subsequently recommended against sending a response from Carter. Although he still thought a response could be useful, Thornton declined to oppose and agreed that “we should do nothing at this time that might even remotely run the risk of upsetting the French in their maneuvers to disengage from the reprocessing plant.” Aaron approved Thornton’s recommendation that he advise the Department of State that a reply would not be necessary. (Ibid.) The text of Hummel’s recommendation was repeated in telegram 32955 to Paris and the White House, February 8. (Ibid.)