U.K. National Archives

Conclusions of a meeting of the Cabinet held at 10 Downing Street, on Thursday, 29 June, 1972 at 10.30 a.m.

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

The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said that the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary had paid a successful visit to Bangladesh from 23 to 24 June. He had been impressed by the degree of goodwill manifested towards this country. Among matters which were causing the new State serious concern were the problem of rehabilitation, the proposal to bring Pakistani war criminals to trial and the question of the status of Bangladesh in relation of Pakistan. The critical meeting between President Bhutto of Pakistan and Mrs. Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, was taking place that day; and its outcome could not yet be foreseen. But it seemed unlikely that stability in the sub-continent could be achieved until the Government of Pakistan were prepared to recognise Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary had informed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, that we were prepared to contribute the further sum of £3 million towards rehabilitation.

The Prime Minister said that steps should be taken to ensure that there was more general recognition that our contribution to relief and rehabilitation in Bangladesh had been very substantial indeed; in all some £32.5 million had been provided for this purpose during the past year.

The Cabinet
2. Took note of the statements by the Prime Minister and the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.