Department of State

Washington, September 24, 1970

FROM:
Ambassador Joseph S. Farland

SUBJECT:
Conversation with the President, September 24, 1970 - MILITARY SUPPLY

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Washington, D.C. 20520

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

I referred to my conversation with President Yahya on September 8 and gave the gist of my cable reporting on the military supply aspect. I conveyed to the President Yahya’s deep appreciation for the message I had delivered to him on June 20, which according to Yahya had strengthened his resolve to avoid asking the Soviets for any further arms. Further, I noted Yahya’s comment to me that he does not "cherish the communist embrace.”

I then explained to the President the reasons why the intended consultation with Congress has not yet been undertaken. The President thereupon asked Dr. Kissinger where the action stood and Dr. Kissinger said that it was still in the Department of State. The President then directed Dr. Kissinger to tell Mr. Sisco to move ahead on this at once, adding that he had made a decision, wanted it implemented promptly, and that politically this was the right time.

I then recalled that Yahya had told the President in Lahore last year of his problems in financing arms purchases, adding that Yahya had mentioned to me on September 8 that he greatly appreciated the package offer of which we had informed him tentatively in June, but that he might lack the money to follow through. Yahya had not specifically asked for credit as such but had expressed the hope that some arrangement could be worked out to help him purchase the arms we were prepared to sell. The President said he had made a decision and we should attempt to find a way to make it effective, otherwise the decision would have no meaning. The President asked Dr. Kissinger to look into this aspect and Dr. Kissinger said he would see what could be worked out.

AmbFarland/hlk/9/24/70