BHUTTO'S RETURN DINNER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: July 27, 2010
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: July 10, 1973
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2
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MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION
(Outside System).
(GDS) with XGDS attachment July 10, 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR: DR. KISSINGER
FROM: HAROLD H. SAUNDERS 7 L
SUBJECT: Bhutto's Return Dinner
Attached at Tab A is the messa
asked me to dr
At Tab B is a State Department telegram reporting a similar
approach to our Charge in Islamabad. State Department will have
to provide him with guidance through normal channels. Once we
have your guidance on the private message, I could give Sisco
something simple to send out through normal channels as guidance
for responding to the Pakistani Foreign Secretary's approach as a
supplement to the direct message.
25X1
25X1
I recognize that you have essentially given the Ambassador his answer.
However, as you were talking one compromise occurred to me.
Would the President be more willing to attend a small working dinner
with Bhutto and the immediate members of his party at Blair House
than a ceremonial affair? A working dinner like this would take much
less of the President's time than a ceremonSil function, and it would
have greater public appeal for its appearance of substance and intimacy.
Just a thought.
Recommendation: That you authorize sending the message at Tab A to
our Charge in Islamabad
Approve
Do you want me to. show this to Khan before sending? Do you want
simply to give him a copy?
Show before sending
Send and give him a copy
Do neither
2 LX)1x
r
( N:PX"T-TTTTAt (GDS) with XGDS attachment.
_ No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2
July 10, 1973
SECRET (XGDS-3)
TO: ISLAMABAD/CHARGE SOBER/EYES ONLY
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE/HENRY A. KISSINGER/
Please deliver the following message directly to President Bhutto
from President Nixon:
"Dear Mr. President:
"On the eve of your departure for Washington, I want you to
know how much I am looking forward to our meetings and
discussions. Every effort has been made here to assure
that the world will see that we are receiving you as an ally
and a close friend. Everything about your program, I am sure,
will convey to you and your party and to your countrymen the
warmth of feeling we have for you and for Pakistan.
"As you have said through Ambassador Khan, there is much
for us to talk about, and our schedule allows ample time for
open and confidential discussions between us on any subject of
concern to you. As you know, the United States is prepared to
'do what it can to help strengthen the independence and viability of
Pakistan in a variety of fields where we cooperate, and I shall
welcome your views on the best approaches to the present situation.
SECRET (XGDS-3)
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 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2
SECRET (XGDS-3
Dr. Kissinger has discussed with Ambassador Khan our
thoughts on these talks as well as many.of the details of
your visit. We deeply respect him as a person and as a
highly competent diplomat, and once again we have enjoyed'
the opportunity to work closely with him.
"I believe that the last details of your program are now
falling into place, and I know that you will find them satis
been misunderstanding about
h
h
as
ere
factory. I am sorry if t
my participation in a social event hosted ~y youA Because of
the size of the diplomatic corps in Washington and the large
number of visitors both to the United Nations and to Washinton,
I have reluctantly had to adopt a practice of limiting my social
engagements. In doing this I have also been conscious of the
importance of concentrating on substance rather than ceremony
during these visits. I did consent last year during my visit to
Tehran to attend a dinner to be hosted by the Shah during his
visit here, but that will remain as one of very few exceptions
to my normal practice.
"I am confident that you will feel the warmth of our friend-
ship and the closeness of our relationship throughout your visit
here. Until Mrs. Nixon and I have the pleasure of welcoming
SECRET (XGDS-3)
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 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2
SECRET (XGDS-3)
you and Begum Bhutto at the White House, I wish you both
and your party a safe journey. I attach the highest importance
to our talks, and I am certain that they will be productive for
both of us.
Sincerely, Richard Nixon"
The State Department will be sending you instructions separately
for responding to Foreign Secretary's approach which you reported
in Islamabad 5479.
? SECRET (XGDS-3)
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2~1~1t`'
As De tme' of State
A
~
ya
6 S~s7p"'rgh
0 0907362 JUL 73
r.Rt AMEMBAS:SY IS-LAMASA;D
TO SEC.STAT.E WASHDC I?MM.E TATE 9945
-C 0 N F 7 D E N 'T I A L ISLAMABAD 5479
E.XOIS
E100 116521 GDS
T:AGSe *OVTP, PK
SUBJECT i pUTTt1 VISIT' PAK DINNER
ANDERSON _
FIOLDRtDGE
,NQRMATS
JORDEN
LEHMAN
LEVINNE
NEVOPGN7'E
? oti u
RATLIFF
RONDOta
SONNENFELDT_
V;I?G.
WALSH
EXPECTED TO ATTEND BANQUET TO BE HOSTED BY SHAH OF IRAN ?..-.
CURING LATTER@S FORTHCOMING STATE VISIT0 GOP MAKES
URGENT APPEAL FOR SIMILAR HONOR TO BE ACCORDED TO PRES
BHUTTO DURING HIS STATE VISIT NEXT WEEK, FOR REASONS
DISCUSSED IN THIS MESSAGES I ~tFC0MM RD T.HAT ..CAREFUL, CQNSIDEISiA
LION, ~~ . GIVEN.~.,~0 PAK:REQUF-S~T WHICH IS ADMITTEDLY
EXTRAQROYNARY.s END SUMMARY. .
1. GOP FOREIGN SECRETARY AGHA SHAHIa NEWLY ARRIVED
FROM PEKING WHERE HE HAD BEEN AMBASSADORa ASKED ME TO
SEE HIM URGENTLY MORNING JULY 9Q HE APOLOGIZED FOR
CALLING ME ON SUCH SHORT NOTICE AND REMARKED I WAS
FIRST FOREIGN DIPLOMAT HE WAS SEEKING IN NEW CAPACITY
AS FONSEC? (DEAN-OF DIPLOMATIC CORPS WAS DUE IN
SHORTLY.) HE FELT HE HAD TO BREAK PROTOCOL BECAUSE, OF
URGENT MATTER REGARDING PRES SHUTTO'S STATE VISIT TO
US NEXT WEEK.
2, YESTERDAY, FONSEC WENT ON, GOP HAF) RECEIVED TELE-
GRAM FROM AMBASSADOR SULTAN KHAN REPORTING HIS UNDER-
STANDING THAT PRES NIXON WILL ATTEND RE-TURN BANQUET
BEING GIVEN BY SHAH OF IRAN DURING LATTER'S STATE
VISIT THE WEEK FOLLOWING BHUTTO. WHEN INQUIRING SOME
.030424
SUMMARY GOP HAS BEEN INFORMED THAT PRES NIXON IS
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2
j NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUtaNF.iDENT ITAi1T_ATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2
ti.3,,y~r, QL'
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CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ISLAMA 05479 09I206Z
TIME AGO ABOUT POSSIBLE RETURN BANQUET BY BHUTTO, SULTAN
KHAN HAD BEEN TOLD NOT ONLY THAT IT NOT NOFfMAL FOR
PHES NIXON TO ATTEND BUT ALSO THAT VISITS BY BHUTTO AND
SHAH WERE BEING GENERALLY TREATED IN SAME WAY; GOP HAD
THEREUPON Ot;OPPED IDEA OF-RECIPROCAL BANQUET,
S, FONSEC THEN EMBARKED ON STATEMENT OF RATIONALE FOR
GO-P HOPE THAT SIMILAR TREATMENT WILL BE.ACCORDED' BHUTTO
AS BEING PLANNED FOR SHAH, FIRST HE REMARKED THAT GOP
HAS THE VERY HIGHEST REGARD FOR THE SHAH., IT WELCOMED
EVERY HONOR ACCORDED TO THE SHAH AND REJOICED WITH ?
HI'M. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT P.E..DPL_E OF ?'PAKISTANa. WHO.i{AVE
GONE, THROUGH SO.MANY.. SHOCKS -AND.. TRIBUL.AT.IONS. IN PAST
COUPLE F: YEARS,, MAY. MIS(JNDERSTAND, THEY MAY CONCLUDE
" vDi T P K_T.S.Ti N1 S- STATURE. _HAS. BEEN S f,-.O tI,NISHED THAT
.Y~:L_._I.TS VERY-..BEST .:.FRIENDS (READ, US) DO. NOT CONSIDER ?
IT NFf F,5AAY TO ACCORD
PAKISTAN'S LEADER.THE TREATMENT
WHICH IS ACCORDED TO OTHERS (READ.IRAN9S LEADER),
STATING THAT PAKISTAN IS- STILL S'OMEWHAT IN A STATE OF
SHOCK AFTER THE DISMEMBERMENT OF l971, FONSEC NOTED
.THAT LTP AND BHUTTO NEED TO CARRY PUBLIC OPINION WITH
THEM ON MANY ISSUES, THAT VERY DAY, BHUTTO WAS SENDING
"TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY A REQUEST FOR'SPECIAL RESOLU-
TION WHICH WOULD AUTHORIZE HIM TO.RECOGNIZE BANGLADESH
AT A TIME HE JUDGED APPROPRIATE, POTENTIAL RECOGNITION.
OF BANGLADESH IS A HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE AS I
(FONSEC SAID) WAS WELL AWARE, HE NOTED THAT SOME
-PARTIES AND STRONG BODY OF PUBLIC OPINION OPPOSE BANGLQAs
DESH RECOGNITION ON HISTORIC AND IDEOLOGICAL GROUNDS,
:BHUTiOlS. MOVE TO S-EEIR MANDATE ON RECOGNITION FROM NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY WOULD PROBABLY BE APPLAUDED ABROAD BUT IT
MIGHT VERY WELL COMPOUND BHUTTO Q S PROBLEMS AT HOME
'ESPECIALLY IF PAK PEOPLE COME TO THINK THAT USG ODES NOT
CONSYDER?NECESSARY TO HONOR HIM DURING STATE VISIT IN
SAME WAY THAT WE WILL BE HONORING HEAD OF NEIGHBORING
COUNTRY,
.
x14
4, FONSEC THEN CAME BACK TO POINT HE HAD. MADE EARLIER
IN CONVERSATION, AND EMPHASIZED STRONGLY THAT GOP IS
WELL AWARE OF MULTIPLE HEAVY PRESSURES ON PRES NIXON
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WIT11O .brtNTlJbrlylAIORIZATION,OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2
 }.tea; .~4 A
l9epartnaent of State
PAGE 03 ISLAMA 05479 091206Z
AND WISHES TO DO NOTHING WHATSOEVER THAT MIGHT BE
CONSIDERED AS PITTING PRESSURE ON USG ON .QUESTION
B_HUll Q..'S_.R.ST.AT'Ev..V.ISIT._ THAT COULD WEAK.EQb--BHII -TOJ_S,_,PbS,.IT,IONa
HE COULD MAKE THIS APPROACH, FONSEC SAID, ONLY TO A
PERSON LIKE MYSELF WHOM HE KNEW AND WHO UNDERSTOOD
OF ATTENDANCE AT RECIPROCAL BANQUET. GOP VERY DEEPLY
APPRECIATES THE SUBSTANTIAL HELP PAKISTAN HAS RECEIVED
FROM USGS THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT OUR CLOSE
FRIENDSHIP, BUT, FONSEC CONTINUED, THERE
tgU.UA_ RE--A
-PSYWC.H(ILOGI.OAL. REACTION AMONG PEOPL.E_.HERE _REGA.RDING
PAK.IST.ANtS PROBLEMS?
HE AND I HAD DISCUSSED ONLY A FEW DAYS AGO, I RECALLED
THAT I HAD INQUIRED A SHORT TIME BACK, AT GOP BEHEST,
AND HAD DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE NO PLANS FOR SHAH
59 I RESPONDED THAT I WOULD REPORT HIS APPROACH
URGENTLY? I DID APPRECIATE THE DOMESTIC PROBLEMS
WITH WHICH BHUTTO IS DEALING AND PARTICULARLY I ADMIRED
HIS DETERMINATION AND COURAGE IN MOVING AHEAD ON THE
TO ADDRESS JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS, A PROPOSAL ON
WHICH GOP HAI) BEEN TURNED DOWN ON BHUTTO. AS FOR
.
11
:QUESTI"ON OF RECIPROCAL BANQUET, I STATED I COULD NOT
SAY ANYTHING EXCEPT TM-AT IT WAS STANDING PROCEDURE
QUERY, FONSEC ACKNOWLEDGED THAT BHUTTO WAS PERSONALLY
AWARE OF. PLANS FOR PRES NIXON TO ATTEND SHAHIS BANQUETI
'THAT PRES.NIXON DID NOT ATTEND SUCH BANQUETS BY
.VISITING CHIEFS OF STATE, OBVIOUSLY I WAS NOT IN
POSITION TO MAKE ANY RESPONSE BUT I WOULD INFORM-MY
GOVERNMENT PROMPTLY OF GOP CONCERN, IN RESPONSE. MY
ALTHOUGH FONSEC DID NOT SAY SO (AND I DID NOT ASK HIM)
RR1 ? I INFERRED THAT FONSEC o S APPROACH TO ME WAS BEING
{ MADE WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF PRES 6HUTTOm
k
ACCORDED'TO SHAH. I DO BELIEVE IT TO BE IN OUR
INTEREST TO DO WHAT WE`REASONABLY CAN AT THIS TIME TO
IN PAKISTAN WILL DRAW INVIDIOUS. COMPARISONS IF BHUTT'O
FAILS TQ OE ACCORDED HONORS EQUAL TO THOSE TO BE
THIS. GOP IS PROBABLY CORRECT THAT AT LEAST SOME PEOPLE
6, WE HAVE A I0. E NT ....A.L.I.,,Y VERY TOUC,H __.P
NOT TO BE REPRODUCE[ WITHjwr?-b'LVN?t'ALiORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
'." '" No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2
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Department of Saute
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ISLAMA 015479 0912062
AVOID WEAKENING?BHUTTO'?S HAND AS HE EMBARKS ON THE
HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL COURSE WHICH SHOULD LEAD TO
RECOGNITION OF BANGLADESH AND, WE HOPED TO SOME
M ANINGFUL RECONCILIATION?W.XTH INDIA? (GGX HAS
-SUGGESTED OFFICIAL TALKS WITH INDIANS HERE-THE WEEK,
BHUTTO RETURNS FROM VISIT.TO US,) I THEREFORE RECOMMEND
THAT CAREFUL CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TQ GOP'S SPECIAL
REQUEST REGARDING PRES NIXON'S ATTENDANCE; AT ,A BANQUET
WHICH BHUTTO COULD HOST IN WASHINGTON ON JULY 18,,
SOBER
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/03/26: LOC-HAK-36-2-25-2