0706_71_bhutto

Department of State

TELEGRAM
CONFIDENTIAL 730

KARACHI 01478 01 OF 02 061455Z

ACTION NEA-08

INFO :OCT-01 SS-20 NSC-10 NSCE-00 INR-07 CIAE-00 NSAE-00 PRS-01 RSR-01 RSC-01

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016716

P R 0612302 JUL 71

FM AMCONSUL KARACHI

TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5439

AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY

INFO AMCONSUL DACCA

AMCONSUL LAHORE

AMEMBASSY KABUL

AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI

AMEMBASSY TEHRAN

CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 1 OF 2 KARACHI 1478

LIMDIS

Summary: Z.A. Bhutto states his belief that President Yahya's June 28 speech is a "complete fraud" and doubts MLA has any intention transfer power to people. On contrary Bhutto believes Yahya deliberately misleading public as to his intentions. End Summary.

1. At his request, I met privately with Z.A. Bhutto Sunday morning July 4.

2. Yahya's June 28 speech: Calling President Yahya's June 28 speech a "complete fraud" Bhutto revealed he intensely angered and embarrassed by it. Said he had been assured by President only weeks before that speech would define in quite precise terms program for holding elections and transferring large measure of political power to elected representatives of people near future. Bhutto said speech fell far-short of assurances he been given. Also, speech carried President even further away from any possible reconciliation with Awami League.

3. Mujib and Awami League: Failure to reach an accommodation with Mujib and Awami League could only have "disastrous" consequences for country since elections evidenced Mujib and his party have overwhelming support in East Pakistan. Bhutto spoke a good deal about Mujib, suggesting that his and Mujib's relations had been close, that their differences had been minor and could have been easily resolved had it not been for actions of MLA which set Bhutto and Mujib at odds. His comments in this connection became more comprehensible when later on he disclosed an

awareness that "foreign governments" are trying to get GOP to come to some understanding with Mujib and perhaps rehabilitate him.

4. Yahya and the MLA: Bhutto has come to believe that whatever had been Yahya's intentions in past he no longer has genuine intention turn over power. Bhutto said he has his own "Tekzaclxs" in GOP through which he informed that during course of a dinner party on June 30 with a number of his "cronies" Yahya reportedly referred to his June 28 speech as a "smokescreen" and said that to keep things quiet over he would just continue to put up smoke "every four months." At this same function Yahya also reportedly referred to his speech as the throwing of a "bone" to the "dogs". According to Bhutto, Yahya on several recent occasions when in his cups has mentioned he in corresponding with Muslim divines in Medina who assure him that his star is in ascendency and will reach its zenith in 1974, he, therefore, confident "nobody will be able to touch me." Bhutto said Yahya apparently genuinely believes the prophecy. Bhutto drew a vivid picture of Yahya when under the influence of alcohol saying that on such occasions the President is a "Jekyll and Hyde," a "barbarian." "He starts with cognac for breakfast" and continues drinking throughout day, night often finding him in a sodden state. On one social occasion in order to illustrate what he did to Mujib and plans do to Bhutto, Yahya allegedly toughed a lighted cigarette to two baloons, with the expected results.

5. Bhutto predicted Yahya "can not last" because he is "weaker than Ayub" from standpoint his personal characteristics and political position. Said that in addition to his drinking, Yahya easily led by his principal staff officer, Lieut.-General S.G.M.M. Pirzada. In considerable detail Bhutto described Pirzada as effective "Prime Minister," a man whom Bhutto has long recognized to be one of most perceptive, calculating and ambitious of the military leadership. As to his weaker political position, Bhutto pointed out that, unlike Ayub, Yahya has 1) 70 million East Pakistanis arrayed against him, 2) A weak economy, 3) Poor international relations.

6. Opposition to PPP: To strengthen its hand MLA is actively seeking to develop an opposition to the Awami League, using the revatively unknown Akhtaruddin Ahmad, former MNA and member Central Peace Committee, Dacca. According to Bhutto, MLA would like to use Akhtaruddin in putting together three Muslim Leagues and to head local government in East Pakistan. Bhutto understands Nurul Amin won't take the job because of his age and because his children fear they may suffer from anti-MLA elements in East Pakistan. Bhutto professed he has no objections to the Muslim Leagues joining up in opposition to him but he believes it most objectionable that the government is taking the initiative. He thinks, too, that the government in order to facilitate this development is offering new group frozen funds of Ayub's convention Muslim League.

7. "Turkish-type" constitution: In his discussion with President prior to his June 28 speech President told Bhutto he has come to believe country needs a "Turkishtype" constitution under which commander-in-chief of the armed forces would be president and effective leader of country. Bhutto said he told President he could agree with such an arrangement during an interim transitional period but not on a permanent, constitutional basis.

Luppi

Department of State

TELEGRAM
CONFIDENTIAL

KARACHI 01478 02 OF 02 070628Z

ACTION NEA-08

INFO : OCT-01 SS-20 NSC-10 NSCE-00 INR-07 CIAE-00 NSAE-00 PRS-01 RSR-01 RSC-01

049 W

022577

P R 061230Z JUL 71

FM AMCONSUL KARACHI

TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5441

AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY

INFO AMCONSUL DACCA

AMCONSUL LAHORE

AMEMBASSY KABUL

AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI

AMEMBASSY TEHRAN

CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 2 OF 2 KARACHI 1478

LIMDIS

CORRECTED COPY (PARA 8)

8. Bhutto's plans : Although he now pretty well convinced that President Yahya and MLA do not intend to relinquish power in near future, if at all, Bhutto indicated he plans allow more time to pass for picture to clarify. He will continue call upon President to turn over government to people but will not for present push them too hard. Due to "fluid" situation ("God knows what the Indians will do") he plans move cautiously and keep his options open. He mentioned President asked him to go on a semi-official world trip in support of MLA action in East Pakistan. Bhutto bluntly stated he decided against doing this because if events in East Pakistan or elsewhere subsequently led him to come out in active opposition to government, having supported the military operation in East Pakistan would be confusing to other governments'. He mentioned he was going to Tehran on July 6th for two or three days, returning via Kabul where he intends stop for two days, but said trip due to personal invitation from Iran's foreign minister Zahedi.

7. Comment: It seemed Bhutto's purpose was to convey the impression that although beset by obstacles and difficulties on many sides, he continues strong in his resolve to carry out the mandate given his party by the people of West Pakistan in the December National and Provincial Assembly elections. Discussion was frequently punctuated by statements such as the President "can't get away with it." "He is not realistic.. .Punjabis won't shoot Punjabis." He repeatedly emphasized that he would honor his commitment to lead his supporters towards a better life as he so frequently promised. A picture that emerged, however, was of a man highly vexed, frustrated and fuming over his own impotence. Given his over weening ambition and emotional make-up and, moreover, the pressure that is upon him as his party's leader, it may be expected Bhutto will start to push the regime harder and sooner than it will like. GP-3.

Luppi

Source: The American Papers, Secret and Confidential India.Pakistan.Bangladesh

Documents 1965 – 1973; page no – 618-621; The University Press Limited.