U.K. National Archives

Conclusions of a meeting of the Cabinet held at 10 Downing Street, on Thursday, 6 May, 1971 at 10.30 a.m.

Attendees: E Heath; R Maudling; Hailsham; W Whitelaw; K Joseph; R Carr; G Campbell; P Walker; A Douglas-Home; A Barber; Carrington; G Rippon; M Thatcher; Jellicoe; P Thomas; J Prior; M Macmillan; F Pym.

2. The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary said that Mr. Patrick Cargill, who had been visiting Pakistan on behalf of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, had told our High Commissioner in Islamabad that the economic situation of the country was likely to be even more serious than had been expected. Nevertheless, President Yahya Khan continued to maintain that his Government had matters under control, that the army were distributing supplies of food and that the fears of a famine were exaggerated. lie was also insisting that all relief supplies from outside the country should be distributed by Pakistani authorities: and he had declined for the time being the offer of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, U Thant, to provide United Nations assistance. The President's economic adviser, Mr. M. M. Ahmad, intended to discuss the matter with U Thant In New York in the near future; and since he would be passing through London on his return journey on 17 May, this would provide us with an opportunity to review the situation with him.