295. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan1
190561. Subject: Pakistan Reprocessing.
1. Pakistani Ambassador Yaqub-Khan in luncheon meeting with Under Secretary Newsom July 26 showed full awareness of current status of French-Pakistani exchanges on nuclear reprocessing.2 He made clear his understanding that Pakistan has not yet fully decided how to react other than by sending letter to President Giscard.
2. In course of conversation he said that one aspect which disturbed GOP was suggestion that U.S. would, in addition to fact of cancellation, want Pakistan to state in writing that it would not undertake reprocess [Page 699] ing in the future. He said this would appear to be quote rubbing Pakistan’s nose in the dirt. Unquote. He asked, in the event that final French decision is not to proceed with the reprocessing plant, whether this fact alone would be sufficient to satisfy the U.S.
3. Under Secretary Newsom expressed surprise at this, stating that all that the U.S. required was to be informed that the French project was cancelled. He conjectured that he may have left this impression because in his proposals before the Pakistani discussions with Jacomet, he had suggested a formula involving a public announcement of suspension and private assurances that there would be no further reprocessing. There had been no suggestion that such assurances would be required if the French project was cancelled. Ambassador Yaqub-Khan said he would clarify this with his government.
4. The Ambassador also mentioned the Pakistani feeling that the French had made their decision under American pressure and with American collusion. Under Secretary Newsom said that he was aware of this Pakistani feeling but assured the Ambassador that the decision had been one made by France entirely on its own. The U.S. had informed France of its concern over the reprocessing plant but the decision was that of France. Newsom added that he honestly had not known exactly what message Jacomet would deliver to the Government of Pakistan before his own visit to Islamabad.
5. As you have pointed out to Shahnawaz (Islamabad 6960)3 we would welcome private assurances by Paks that they do not intend to build their own plant. However, we do not intend at this point to lay this down as a condition. If the question arises, possibly as a result of Yaqub-Khan’s report on his luncheon meeting with Newsom, you may clarify this point.
6. FYI: At PRC meeting 27 July Newsom made point that, after consulting with Congress, we should renew our economic and military cooperation with Pakistan, explicitly noting that its continuation is based on our clear assumption the GOP will not develop a reprocessing capability. We would not expect to receive GOP confirmation of this but we would have to be clear that our assistance would terminate if it became clear such a reprocessing capability was being constructed. End FYI.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840140–2047. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Sent for information Priority to Paris. Sent for information to the White House. Drafted by Newsom; cleared in S/S–O and by Miklos; approved by Newsom.↩
- In telegram 6960 from Islamabad, July 18, the Embassy reported on Jacomet’s July 18 meeting with Pakistani nuclear officials in order to deliver the message that the French Government had decided not to build the planned reprocessing plant. After Jacomet’s meeting, Hummel sought assurances from Zia, through Shahnawaz, that “there should be no hasty public statements, no public statement about going it alone, and our hopes for a private assurance Pakistan will not go it alone, in which case USG could begin process necessary to resume assistance.” The Embassy continued: “Pak initial reaction was somewhat bitter, accusatory and argumentative, but they made no threats of going it alone, and even hinted at separation of reprocessing issue from French commercial and military sales.” (Department of State, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, David D. Newsom Subject Files, Lot 81D154, Box 3, Iran, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, July 1978)↩
- See footnote 2 above.↩