Department of State
SECRET
TO: THE SECRETARY
THROUGH:
S/S
FROM: NEA - JOSEPH J. SISCO
DATE:
OCTOBER 13, 1970
SUB: MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT FOR THE
SECRETARY'S SIGNATURE: MILITARY SALES OFFER TO
Having
completed the necessary Congressional consultations and informed the Government
of India of our decision to offer a limited sale of arms to
Attached
is a memorandum for the President including a brief status report and proposed
draft letter to Yahya for the President's approval. We think it important that
this message be communicated to Yahya before his departure from Pakistan on
October 17 because he will meet President Nixon here next week and there are
indications that Yahya may hope to expand the scope of our arms offer to cover
certain material not included in it.
Recommendation:
That
you sign the attached Memorandum for the President.
Attachment:
Memorandum for the President
Clearances:
NEA - Mr Van Hollen NEA/INC - Mr Schneider PM/MAS - Mr Chapman H - Mr Prentice
NEA/PAF;
WFSpengler/hlk
THE WHITE HOUSE
October 15, 1970
Dear
Mr. President:
The
patience you have shown in connection with the protracted review of our
military supply policy has been very much appreciated. Our deliberations have
taken even longer than anticipated and have involved a number of difficult
considerations. One of the problems, as I have explained before, has been the
current mood of our Congress toward military assistance and involvement abroad.
Despite
these problems, I have tried to be as responsive as possible to
In
specific terms, I am pleased to confirm that we are prepared to sell Pakistan
on this one occasion the following items which your military authorities have
requested from us: six replacement fighter interceptor aircraft or, as an
alternative, twelve interceptor aircraft of a different model if Pakistan
transfers the remaining aircraft in the squadon concerned; seven replacement
medium bomber aircraft; 300 armored personnel carriers; and four maritime
patrol aircraft. Our diplomatic mission in
In
addition to the aforementioned items, which are in the "lethal"
category, I have asked our people to move as promptly and sympathetically as
possible on pending requests by your military authorities to purchase various
non-lethal items such as light aircraft, transport aircraft, jeeps and trucks.
We are doing our best to be responsive on such items.
I
recognize that the equipment to be provided does not cover some of your
requests but I hope you will consider this offer as reflecting my sincere
desire to be of assistance to
In
closing, let me express my admiration for the great skill you have shown in
leading
I
am now looking forward with great pleasure to our meeting here in
Sincerely,
Richard Nixon
His
Excellency
General
Agha Mohammed Yahya Khan
President
of
Source:
The American Papers- Secret and Confidential India.Pakistan.Bangladesh
Documents 1965-1973, The University Press Limited, p.425-426