Office of the Historian

433. Article in the National Intelligence Daily1

Washington, March 26, 1980

USSR-PAKISTAN: Soviet Pressure Decreases

Soviet pressure on Pakistan has eased following Islamabad’s rejection of the US aid offer, and Moscow has even suggested that it would be more forthcoming with its own assistance. [portion marking not declassified]

[Page 989]

Soviet leaders generally have avoided criticizing Pakistan in recent speeches on Afghanistan, and Soviet Ambassador Azimov held out the hope of increased economic aid when he met with President Zia earlier this month. [1 line not declassified] Azimov said that Moscow had no plans for any incursions into Pakistan from Afghanistan and would overlook past Pakistani support for the insurgents if no additional assistance is provided. [portion marking not declassified]

Azimov also informed Zia, however, that Moscow had detailed information on the extent of Pakistan’s support for the insurgents; he asked for assurances that no US bases or troops would be permitted in Pakistan. [portion marking not declassified]

Zia reportedly welcomed the Soviets’ offer, but reiterated his demand for the withdrawal of Soviet troops, denied that Pakistan was aiding the insurgents, and refused to provide the assurances regarding the US that Azimov sought. Nonetheless, the President subsequently told a meeting of senior Pakistani military officers that Islamabad had to do some “fence mending” with the USSR and should cut back its aid to the Afghan insurgents. In a press conference on Monday,2 he publicly indicated that “all doors” for a dialogue with Moscow “must remain open.” [portion marking not declassified]

  1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 81B00401R: Subject Files of the Presidential Briefing Coordinator for DCI (1977–1981), Box 8, Folder 36: Afghan Crisis—NIDs—03/01/1980—03–31–1980. Top Secret; [handling restriction not declassified].↩
  2. March 24.↩