Nixon Presidential Materials
1970-02-27
Telegram 29569 From the Department of State to the Embassy in India, February 27, 1970, 2153Z
Page: 0
Foreign Relations of the United States
Volume E7
Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 596, Country Files, Middle East, India, Vol. II, 10/69–8/70. Confidential; Immediate;Exdis. Drafted by Schneider; cleared by VAN HOLLEN, Sisco, Richardson, and in USIA by Assistant Director for Near East and South Asia David Nalle; and approved by Rogers. The decision by India on February 10 to close five USIS cultural centers was triggered by a Soviet request on December 3, 1969, to open a cultural center in Trivandrum. The Soviet request led to a review of all foreign cultural centers operating in India and a decision to close the U.S. centers in Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Ranchi, and Varauasi. These were the only such centers operating in cities without diplomatic or consular representation, and they operated on the basis of an understanding reached by former Ambassador Chester Bowles and Prime Minister NEHRU. The Soviet Union sought to establish a cultural center in Trivandrum on the same basis.
February 27, 1970, 2153Z
HCE399
RECEIVED WHCA
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ORIGIN SS-45
1970 FEB 27 22 27 Z
.. 44
INFO OCT-01 SSO-00 NSCE-00/046 R
66635
DRAFTED BY: NEA/INC:DTSCHNEIDER
APPROVED BY: THE SECRETARY
NEA-MR. SISCO
USIA-MR. NALLE(INSUBS)
NEA-MR. VANHOLLEN
S/S-MR. ELIOT
THE UNDER SECRETARY (IN DRAFT)
057059
O 2721532 FEB 70 ZFF4
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE
STATE 029569
EXDIS
PLEASE DELIVER FOLLOWING WRITTEN MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY TO FONMIN DINESH SINGH:
QUOTE -DEAR MR.FOREIGN MINISTER: DURING THE PAST YEAR I BELIEVE WE HAVE DEVELOPED A RELATIONSHIP WHICH-PERMITS US TO DISCUSS ISSUES BETWEEN OUR GOVERNMENTS WITH UTMOST CANDOR. IT IS IN THIS SPIRIT THAT I RAISE A QUESTION WHICH IS GIVING ME SERIOUS CONCERN.
THIS RELATES TO THE DECISION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA WITHOUT ANY PRIOR CONSULTATION TO REQUEST THE CLOSURE OF CERTAIN US CULTURAL CENTERS, A DECISION WHICH I REGRET. I READ TODAY OF STATEMENTS BY YOUR GOVERNMENT THAT THIS DECISION HAD BEEN BASED UPON AN INVESTIGATION OF ACTIVITIES AT THE CENTERS WHICH WAS "NOT FAVORABLE”; AND THAT CERTAIN CENTERS HAD BEEN ENGAGED IN "POLITICAL AND OTHER UNDESIRABLE ACTIVITIES”. I SHOULD MUCH APPRECIATE ANY CLARIFICATION YOU CAN PROVIDE ME REGARDING THE MEANING OF THESE STATEMENTS. DO THEY REFER TO US ACTIVITIES? TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA HAS NEVER INFORMED THE
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US OF ANY ACTIVITIES BY US CULTURAL CENTERS WHICH MIGHT BE CONSIDERED IMPROPER. THESE CENTERS HAVE FUNCTIONED OPENLY WITH THE FULL KNOWLEDGE AND APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. AS ELLIOT RICHARDSON TOLD YOUR CHARGE TODAY, AT NO TIME TO OUR KNOWLEDGE HAVE US CULTURAL CENTERS IN INDIA BEEN ENGAGED IN ANY IMPROPER ACTIVITY. I AM PREPARED TO EXAMINE EVIDENCE, AND ITS SOURCE, THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT MAY HAVE TO THE CONTRARY.
I KNOW YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT MATTERS SUCH AS THIS CAN HAVE AN EFFECT UPON THE CLIMATE OF THE RELATIONS BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES. IT HAS ALREADY ATTRACTED PUBLIC NOTICE IN THIS COUNTRY. I RAISE THESE QUESTIONS KNOWING THAT WE BOTH DESIRE TO AVOID UNNECESSARY FRICTIONS IN OUR RELATIONSHIP. SINCERELY YOURS, WILLIAM P. ROGERS - END-QUOTE.
GP-3 ROGERS