Department of State
TELEGRAM
CONFIDENTIAL 444
COLOMB
03360 270603 Z
19
ACTION
NEA-11
INFO : OCT-01 EUR-14 CIAE-00 DODE-00 PM-06
H-02 INR-06 L-03 NSAE-00 NSC-10 P-
03 RSC-01 PRS-01 SS-14 USIA-12 10-12
SP-02 ORM-03 AID-20 RSR-01 EA-11 /133 W
……….060184
P
261110 Z NOV 71
FM
AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO
SECSTATE WASHDC 7259
INFO
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
AMEMBASSY
LONDON
AMEMBASSY
NEW DELHI
USMISSION
USUN
CONFIDENTIAL
COLOMBO 3360
SUBJ
: PRESIDENT YAHYA KHAN'S SPECIAL
ENVOY TO CEYLON
1. SUMMARY: Raja Tridiv Roy in Ceylon as representative of GOP
President Khan. Main thrust of mission seems aimed at Ceylon's Buddhist majority.
Roy suggests Pakistan would welcome
Bandaranaike's involvement in Indo-Pak dispute. Local interest in dispute
running quite high. End summary.
2. Raja Tridiv Roy, identified by press
reports as quote Pres Yahya Khan's special envoy to ceylon unquote arrived
Colombo Nov 25 and is scheduled
meet with PM Bandaranike on Nov 26. Roy accompanied on visit by
S.L. Leghari, director of Foreign Affairs, GOP. Roy identified as hereditary
chief Chakma community in Chittagong hills, quote one of the
largest Buddhist groups in East Pakistan unquote. In addition to
scheduled meetings with PM and other cabinet members he has met with
representatives of All-Ceylon Buddhist Congress and Young Men's Buddhist
Association.
3. Main reason for Roy visit reportedly is to
convey to PM Bandaranaike President Khan's assessment quote of the serious
threat to peace posed by the fullscale assaults on Pakistan's borders ...and to explain
to Mrs Bandaranaike the treatment meted out to minorities, particularly to
Buddhists in East Pakistan. Unquote.
4. In Nov 26 Sun Roy stated that quote all countries
have high regard or Prime Minister Bandaranaike. Any formula put forward by her
to ease the situation in East Pakistan would be most welcome.
Unquote. With regard refugee problem, Roy stated that quote Pakistan has opened the door for the
refugees to return to their homeland,
but India is trying to discourage
them from going home in order to increase tensions in the area. Unquote.
Published itinerary calls for him to visit Thailand, Nepal and Burma following visit here.
5. Roy visit seems to be bringing Pakistan question back to front
burner in local debates. Group calling itself Ceylon Committee for Human Rights
in Bangla Desh was refused interview with Roy and promptly branded him
quote an outcast.. .who cannot reconcile the teachings of the compassionate
Buddha with murder, rape and pillage by the military clique whose cause he had
come here to espouse. Unquote. Nov 26 Daily News editorial roundly criticized
both sides in the conflict but placed major blame for military activity on India, arguing that quote anybody
who believes that Pakistan, in her present plight,
would launch a war against India should surely have his
brains washed again in the holy Ganges. Unquote.
6. Comment: Roy's suggestion that
intervention by PM Bandaranaike would be welcomed by Pakistan raises possibility that
such role may be attempted again. As shown by Indian Ocean Peace Zone proposal,
PM Bandaranaike is seeking new prestige in international arena. Successful
involvement in Indo-Pak dispute could earn for her that prestige as well as
score domestic points because of the increased interest in the conflict here in
Ceylon. GP-3
STRAUSZ-HUPE
Source: The
American Papers – Secret and Confidential India.Pakistan.Bangladesh
Documents 1965-1973, University Press Limited, p.73 - 733