366. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter1
1. Meeting With Shahi: Following the larger bilateral meetings,2 I met alone today with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shahi, who gave the most explicit exposition we have yet heard on Pakistani nuclear intentions. Shahi, noting that he was speaking in great confidence, said that Pakistan will reiterate its assurance that it does not plan to develop nuclear weapons. He will also recommend to President Zia that Pakistan give us assurances it will not transfer sensitive nuclear technology. On the question of assurances on explosions, Shahi was not forthcoming. He said that he believes the present government would not explode a device within the next 6–12 months. He could not say what the policy of a new government would be, however, or what the Zia Government would do after 12 months, if it is still in office.
Based on the discussions over the last two days, we have no doubt that the Paks are seeking to develop nuclear explosives. They made no effort to deny it, but Shahi did indicate that they have not finally decided to push the program to completion. I noted that any Pakistani explosion would have a devastating effect on our bilateral relationship, and Shahi responded that Pakistan realized this.
I would like to discuss with you at breakfast Friday3 where we go from here on this issue.
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Pakistan.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 22, Evening Reports (State): 10/79. Secret. Carter initialed “C” at the top of the memorandum.↩
- See Document 368 and footnote 4 thereto.↩
- October 19. Carter met with Vance and other senior foreign policy advisers from 7:30 to 8:46 a.m. in the White House Cabinet Room. No record of the discussion was found.↩