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  4. Document 28

28. Telegram From the Embassy in Bangladesh to the Department of State and the Embassy in Japan1

Dacca, October 2, 1977, 0135Z

5586. Dept for M/CT and S/S–O. Subject: JAL Hijacking & Internal Security.

1. Radio Bangladesh at 0700 is giving news as usual with no repeat no mention of coup.

2. Tower discussions have resumed but without Mahmood. Hijackers wanted to send a representative to the tower for face-to-face negotiations but tower said there were internal problems and “unruly elements” on runway. Advised hijackers to remain calm and situation, which speaker described “as a sort of coup d’etat”, should clear up in half an hour.

3. At radio station there is no activity (0715) and guards, although heavily armed, are lounging about in normal fashion.

Masters
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770359–0648. Confidential; Immediate. Sent for information to DIA.↩