309. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan1
276668. Exdis; for Ambassador. Subject: Contingency Message From President Carter to President Zia About Bhutto.
1. Following is a contingency message for use in the event that the execution of former Prime Minister Bhutto appears imminent. There will be no signed original.
2. You may use this message at your discretion but if at all possible you should re-check with the Department and the NSC before delivery.
[Page 722]3. Please notify us immediately if the message is delivered.2
4. Begin text:
Dear President Zia:
In the spirit of friendship and frankness which has traditionally characterized relations between our two countries, I write to you concerning the death sentence against former Prime Minister Bhutto, which the Supreme Court of Pakistan has now upheld.
The Supreme Court has a well-deserved reputation for independence, and we have been impressed by the deliberate and careful way in which it has heard the case. Now that the judicial process is completed, however, I feel it is no longer out of place to urge you to show clemency which we learn from the mercy and compassion of the Almighty.
I urge this as one who values the relationship between our countries and respects your own strength and courage as a national leader. This matter is clearly a domestic concern of your government, but I feel obliged as a friend to say that a decision by you to spare Mr. Bhutto’s life would be seen in the United States as an act of clemency, courage and statesmanship, consistent with the humane values our religions teach us. It would be welcomed and applauded by Pakistan’s many friends in the United States and around the world.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Carter
End text.
- Source: 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. Confidential; Exdis. In the upper right-hand corner of the telegram, an unknown hand wrote: “Ambassador Hummel delivered this message on Feb 6, 1979.” Printed from a copy that was received in the White House Situation Room. According to the Department of State copy, the telegram was drafted by Hornblow; cleared by Thornton and in S/S–O; approved by Lande. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780448–0268)↩
- In telegram 1492 from Islamabad, February 6, 1979, Hummel reported that “immediately upon learning that the Pakistani Supreme Court had dismissed the appeal on the Bhutto case,” he sought an appointment with Zia in order to deliver Carter’s appeal for clemency. Because Shahnawaz could not assure Hummel that a meeting with Zia was possible, Hummel gave the message to Shahnawaz, who “said he would see that Pres Zia received it immediately.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790056–0569)↩