Nixon Presidential Materials 1971-04-29

Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between President Nixon and His Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig)

By Haig & Nixon

Page: 0

Foreign Relations of the United States
Volume X1
South Asia Crisis, 1971

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 998, Haig Chronological File, Haig Telcons 1971. No classification marking.

Washington, April 29, 1971, ca. 9:30 a.m.
[Omitted here is discussion on Vietnam.]
P: And on the situation with regard to . . . I note one thing in here with regard to aid to India. Someone is saying we are contemplating sending aid to help the Pakistani refugees. I hope to hell we’re not, but what about this?
H: No, we’ve not been planning that. There’s been some talk about our assistance to East Pakistan . . .
P: For the refugees?
H: Yes.
P: But through East Pakistan?
H: Yes.
P: What about the reaction from India? Have we had one?
H: Not that I’m aware of.
P: But we can say our attitude toward the refugees is separate . . .
H: Humanitarian.
P: One question, whether the U.S. is helping to end the fighting in Pakistan as the Russians are. What about that?
H: The fighting is about over—there is considerable stability now . . .
P: But what have the Russians done?
H: Nothing positive in substantive support. There’s been a lot of propaganda noises, but then they back off.
[Omitted here is discussion on the Middle East and Southeast Asia.]