Some Events of 15/16 Dec 1971

306. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in

Pakistan

1

Washington, December 14, 1971, 2136Z.

224704. If and when Bangla Desh and or Indian forces occupy Dacca,

you should not take any initiative to establish or encourage contact with

them beyond that which may be required in emergency situations to protect

American lives or to otherwise assure safety of your mission.

Rogers

 

307. Telegram From the Consulate General in Dacca to the

Department of State

1

Dacca, December 15, 1971, 0500Z.

5643. 1. Assistant Secretary General Paul Marc Henry has asked

that I arrange to have following message (not verbatim quote) passed

from him to SYG.

Begin message:

I have been informed by Governor Malik and General

Farman Ali that President Yahya Khan strongly desires to put a

end to hostilities in EP. For this purpose he wishes to arrange with the

Indian Govt an immediate cease-fire period of at least two hours in

which discussions for this purpose can take place between the military

commanders concerned. The President desires honorable conditions

for Pakistani troops and protection of civilians. I pass this message to

you for what it is worth, since I have no independent means of verification.

End of message.

2
Spivack

308. Telegram From the Embassy in India to the Department of

State

1

New Delhi, December 15, 1971, 1050Z.

Ref: State 225268.

2

1. DCM called on Haksar, Secretary to Prime Minister, at 1410 IST,

and handed him text of message from General Niazi as contained in

Dacca 5637,

3 DATT simultaneously passed copy to General Manekshaw,

Chief of Army Staff.

2. DCM explained that USG could take no responsibility for content

of message nor express views thereon, and was simply transmitting

the message at request of Foreign Minister Swaran Singh.

3. Haksar was also informed that Foreign Minister attempting to

telephone him urgently. He said he had had difficulty getting call through

but had managed disjointed conversation with Foreign Secretary Kaul.

4. Haksar expressed appreciation, then asked where our overall

relations had gone off the track. He recounted at some length the discussions

with the National Security Adviser, Dr. Kissinger, and with

Assistant Secretary Sisco, during Prime Minister

’s visit in early November.

He stressed that there could be no question of the integrity of

Mrs. Gandhi

’s remarks to the President. He said he had a copy of the

record of their talk, and that he had agreed in advance to accept the

U.S. record as the official record.

5. Haksar stated that all human affairs were transitory and he was

not so much concerned about the present, as it would pass, as he was

about the future. He expressed concern about the relations our children

would have and what we owed to them. Haksar became quite

emotional, his eyes watering, and asked what we could do. DCM suggested

letter from Prime Minister to President might be in order. Haksar

said he would draft such a letter that afternoon.

6. U.K. HICOMer Sir Terrence Garvey called DCM as above being

drafted and recounted that Niazi text had been passed back and

forth between our respective UN reps. He asked if message had been

delivered locally. DCM confirmed that it had.

311. Telegram From the Embassy in India to the Department of

State

1

New Delhi, December 15, 1971, 1358Z.

19280. Subj: Indian Response to Niazi Ceasefire Proposal.

1. Haksar, Secretary to Prime Minister, called in DCM at 1800 hours local and handed him text of response from General Manekshaw to General Niazi.

2. Haksar said GOI was conveying response to Niazi through U.S. since we had been good enough to pass on original Niazi proposal. Hedescribed reply as a

“carefully considered and sincere response” and called particular attention to cessation air attacks which took place at 1700 hours December 15.

3. Text of message which GOI requests be transmitted urgently to

Niazi is as follows:

“

For Lt. Gen. Niazi From Sam Manekshaw, Chief of the Army Staff

India

Firstly

—I have received your communication2 re a cease fire in

Bangla Desh at 1430 hours today through the American Embassy at

New Delhi.

Secondly

—I had previously informed General Farman Ali in two messages that I would guarantee (a) the safety of all your military and paramilitary forces who surrender to me in Bangla Desh.

(b) Complete protection to foreign nations, ethnic minorities and personnel of West

Pakistan no matter who they may be. Since you have indicated your desire to stop fighting I expect you to issue orders to all forces under your command in Bangla Desh to cease fire immediately and surrender to my advancing forces wherever they are located.

Thirdly—I give you my solemn assurance that personnel who surrender shall be treated with the dignity and respect that soldiers are entitled to and I shall abide by the provisions of the Geneva Convention.

Further as you have many wounded I shall ensure that they arewell cared for and your dead given proper burial. No one need have any fear for their safety no matter where they come from. Nor shall there be any reprisals by forces operating under my command.

Fourthly—Immediately I receive a positive response from you I shall direct General Aurorea the commander of Indian and Bangla Deshforces in the Eastern theatre to refrain from all air and ground actionagainst your forces. As a token of my good faith I have ordered that no air action shall take place over Dacca from 1700 hours today.

Fifthly—I assure you I have no desire to inflict unnecessary casualtieson your troops as I abhor loss of human lives. Should however you do not comply with what I have stated you will leave me with no other alternative but to resume my offensive with the utmost vigour at 0900 hours Indian Standard Time on 16 December.

Sixthly—In order to be able to discuss and finalise all matters quickly I have arranged for a radio link on listenint watch from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time today 15 December. The frequency will be 6605 (6605) KHZ by day and 3216 (3216) KHZ by night. Callsigns will be CAL (Calcutta) and DAC (Dacca). I would suggest you instruct yoursignallers to restore microwave communications immediately.”

4. DCM assured Haksar message would be transmitted immediately.

5. Assume Department will authorize Dacca delivery.

3

Keating

3