53. Memorandum From Thomas Thornton of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1
SUBJECT
- Possible Visit by Bangladesh President (C)
President Ziaur Rahman is lusting mightily for a chance to meet with the President, even if only for an hour office call. According to the Bangladesh ambassador (who is looking under all the rocks in town on this one) he would most like to come in connection with a visit to the UK (June 20–21) and a possible stop for a visit in Ottawa. (C)
It is a close call:
—On the positive side, Zia is trying very hard to establish something like orderly democratic government in Bangladesh. His country is in the Security Council and is being helpful on Afghanistan. Most of all, Zia is really trying to hold off the Soviets, at some domestic [Page 137] political cost. They have invited him to Moscow. He is seen in Bangladesh as being pro-American and getting little political attention for his efforts. (C)
—On the negative side, there are obvious time constraints. Zia’s longevity in office is probably not terribly bright (although he is a better prospect than anybody else around in Bangladesh) and there may be better cases for the President to invest his limited time in. Most of all, of course, Bangladesh failed us on the Iran vote in the Security Council and has not been able to atone for that by its largely ineffectual attempts to play a useful role on Iran in some other way. (C)
Unless there really is no time available, I come down on the positive side. It is not a bad idea for us to do something for one of our openly avowed friends occasionally. The Iran vote weighs heavy and because of it, Vance is likely to be opposed to a visit. In my view, though, this is another case of continuing to inflict punishment long after the transgression has been committed. (C)
If you think there is absolutely no possibility of a visit, let me know and I will turn the whole thing off. If you want to keep the option open at least, I will undertake some further inquiries with Ambassador Schneider in Dacca and within State. (C)
Guidance Requested
Keep the option open2
No prospect; turn it off
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 5, Bangladesh: 1/77–1/81. Confidential. Sent for action. “ZB has seen” is stamped in the upper right-hand corner of the first page.↩
- This option was checked. To the right of the checkmark, Aaron wrote: “Seems reasonable to have an office call if limited to that! DA.”↩