343. Memorandum Prepared in the National Security Council1
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Pakistan.]
5. Meeting with President Zia: President Zia again stressed to Ambassador Hummel yesterday Pakistan’s peaceful nuclear intentions and asked him to emphasize to Washington Pakistani willingness to accept any safeguards system that was applicable equally to India. Regarding security matters, he indicated he would be submitting a “modest” list of military requirements in a couple of weeks. He appreciates our offers in the area of security, but prefers to wait until Pakistan fully establishes itself in the nonaligned movement this summer before initiating security talks or invoking U.S. support vis-a-vis the Soviets. Hummel comments that Zia apparently at this time is interested in keeping the door open to the U.S. to see if we will relieve the pressure on the nuclear issue by working on the Indians for a regional solution and to see if there will be some security value to further dialogue. (Islamabad 5472,2 PSN 4391) (S)
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Daily CIA Brief File, Box 19, 5/9/79–5/15/1979. Secret. Carter wrote “Zbig, C” in the upper right-hand corner of the memorandum.↩
- In telegram 5472 from Islamabad, May 11, Hummel reported his May 10 meeting with Zia. He commented: “Tone of the meeting was cordial and relaxed throughout, in contrast to some of our more tense recent sessions.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790213–0925)↩