U.S. National Archives

1972-03-31

BackHome

Telegram 55123 From the Department of State to the Embassy in France, March 31, 1972, 0023Z

RECOGNITION OF BANGLADESH

Foreign Relations of the United States
Volume E7
Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL Chicom–US. Secret; Priority, Nodis; Homer. Drafted by Laingen and VAN HOLLEN; cleared by Davies and Sisco, in EA by Deputy Assistant Secretary Winthrop G. Brown, and by Kissinger; and approved by Rogers.

France, March 31, 1972, 0023Z

SUBJECT:
RECOGNITION OF BANGLADESH

Department of State TELEGRAM

P 310023Z MAR 72 ZFF4

FM SECSTATE WASHDC

TO AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 9955

BT

STATE 055123

FROM THE SECRETARY

1. PRESIDENT HAS CONCLUDED WE SHOULD NOW RECOGNIZE BANGLADESH, AND WE PLAN ANNOUNCEMENT THIS EFFECT APRIL 4, COINCIDENT WITH DELIVERY IN DACCA OF PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO MUJIBUH RAHMAN.

2. YOU SHOULD INFORM PRC AMBASSADOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE OF DECISION AND ASK HIM DELIVER FOLLOWING MESSAGE TO HIS GOVERNMENT:

DURING THE DISCUSSIONS IN PEKING OUR ASSESSMENTS ON THE SITUATION IN SOUTH ASIA WERE SHARED, INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF THE RECOGNITION OF BANGLADESH. SINCE THEN THE MATTER HAS AGAIN BEEN CAREFULLY REVIEWED AND IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT THE SITUATION IN SOUTH ASIA HAS EVOLVED TO THE POINT WHERE THE US SHOULD EXTEND RECOGNITION AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH. IT IS OUR INTENTION TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO THIS EFFECT ON APRIL 4. THIS DECISION IS BASED ON THE BELIEF THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO HELP INSURE STABILITY IN THE SOUTH ASIAN SUBCONTINENT.”

3. YOU SHOULD ASK PRC AMBASSADOR TO HOLD THIS INFORMATION IN CLOSEST CONFIDENCE UNTIL OUR ANNOUNCEMENT MADE. GP-1.

ROGERS

BT

DRAFTED BY: NEA: CVANHOLLEN-NEA/PAF : LBLAINGEN

APPROVED BY: THE SECRETARY

CLEARANCES : NEA-MR. DAVIES NEA-MR. SISCO EA-AMB. BROWN S/S-MR. ELIOT WHITE HOUSE MR. KISSINGER