272. Telegram From the Embassy in Pakistan to the Department of State1
2704. Subject: Bhutto Death Sentence. Ref: (A) Islamabad 2692;2 (B) State 60396.3
1. I today conveyed to Foreign Secretary Shahnawaz message to Gen Zia authorized by Dept concerning death sentence for Bhutto, reading the following text at dictation speed:
Quote Pakistan’s judicial procedures are of course the responsibility of the GOP, and I have no desire to intervene in such internal affairs. However I and my government have legitimate interest in any factors that affect US/GOP relations. Therefore I am in my proper sphere of activity when I speak for my government and say that the execution of Mr. Bhutto would be very badly received in the U.S. and would be a matter of serious concern to the USG. I hope you will keep this reaction in mind, as well as the probable adverse reactions of other countries, as you consider the desirability of executive clemency, if the Supreme Court upholds the death penalty. Unquote.
2. Shahnawaz said he would immediately convey it to Gen. Zia. Shahnawaz refrained from comment except to point out that judicial procedures including appeal to Supreme Court were beyond power of executive branch to influence. I replied that text of demarche indicated clear understanding of this point, referring as it did to executive clemency.
3. My staff and I are getting questions from friendly Ambassadors asking what USG intends to do. I have told only British Charge in [Page 656] strict confidence, and do not intend to tell anyone else unless Dept so authorizes me or makes public acknowledgement of demarche as recommended in reftel (A). Several Ambassadors hope their governments will weigh in on side of clemency. West European group discussed the matter at a meeting today, with most Ambs deciding to recommend private, unpublicized demarches to GOP. PRC Amb told me last night he thought death penalty is not appropriate, but that imprisonment would be; he did not say whether PRC will convey that thought to GOP. Demarches having greatest effective weight would be those of Saudis and Iranians, if they decide to do so.
4. Department repeat as desired.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780121–0949. Secret; Immediate; Exdis.↩
- In telegram 2692 from Islamabad, March 18, the Embassy reported that Bhutto, who was convicted of murder on March 18 and sentenced to death, had 5 days to file an appeal of his sentence. The Embassy suggested that the United States should publicly announce that it had made a démarche to the Pakistani Government after it had done so. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780120–1030) Telegram 2081 from Islamabad, March 1, transmitted the text of the proposed démarche. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840163–1790) Under a March 3 covering memorandum, Thornton sent the Embassy’s proposed démarche to Brzezinski and wrote that it was a “good idea.” Brzezinski indicated his agreement by writing “ok” on the memorandum. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, North/South, Thornton Subject File, Box 99, Evening Reports: 6–7/78)↩
- In telegram 60396 to Islamabad, March 9, the Department concurred with the Embassy’s proposed text of a démarche that Hummel would make to the Government of Pakistan if Bhutto were sentenced to death. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840176–1377) ↩