Office of the Historian

157. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon1 2

Washington, February 22, 1974.
[Page 1]

SUBJECT:

  • Congratulatory Messages to Pakistan and Bangladesh Prime Ministers

Pakistan’s long-awaited decision to recognize Bangladesh was announced by Prime Minister Bhutto this morning (February 22). The decision marks an important new step in the process of normalization and improvement of relations among the countries of South Asia which began in mid-1972 with the Simla agreement between India and Pakistan. We do not know yet whether Pakistan’s recognition was accompanied by new concessions from Bangladesh on their longstanding dispute over possible war crimes trials of Pakistani POWs. However, Pakistan’s act of recognition should remove whatever remaining possibility there may have been that Bangladesh would go forward with such trials.

I believe that identical congratulatory messages from you to Prime Ministers Bhutto and Mujib would be appropriate, and I suggest that we send them the following message by telegram through our embassies in Islamabad and Dacca:

“I have learned with profound pleasure of the announcement of recognition of the Government of Bangladesh by the Government of Pakistan. You have my congratulations and best wishes. It is my earnest hope that this action heralds the opening of a new era of harmony in the subcontinent.

Sincerely,

Richard Nixon”

RECOMMENDATION: That you approve the above message for transmittal to Prime Ministers Bhutto and Mujib (Text approved by Mr. Gergen’s office)

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 628, Country Files, Middle East, Pakistan, Vol. XI, November 1973–August 1974. Limited Official Use. Sent for action. It was approved by Haig for Nixon. An attached telegram with a copy of Nixon’s congratulation message was transmitted immediate to Dhaka, Islamabad, Lahore, London, and New Delhi on the same day. (Ibid.)↩
  2. Secretary of State Kissinger recommended text for a congratulatory note to be sent to Prime Minister Bhutto and Prime Minister Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of Pakistan’s formal recognition of Bangladesh.↩