“Yahya and Mujib have already agreed to the broad outlines of a solution”

The [US] President's Daily Brief

20 March 1971

FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY

PAKISTAN

President Yahya Khan and Mujibur Rahman continued their talks today, despite several deaths yesterday in what appears to have been the most serious clash involving the army in almost two weeks. Mujib again took a tough stance on Thursday when he rejected Yahya's proposal to conduct an investigation of killings earlier this month, partly because the probe was to have been held under martial law. At the same time the refusal of Z.A. Bhutto to join the talks in Dacca, at least for the time being, underlines the pressures against making concessions which West Pakistani politicians and military are bringing to bear on Yahya.

The [US] President's Daily Brief

22 March 1971

FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY

PAKISTAN

President Yahya Khan and Mujibur Rahman, apparently made some progress in the last three days, but both sides are being very tight-lipped about the substance of their talks. The Western press speculates that Yahya will give in to Mujib's demands, which would mean that Pakistan would remain one country but almost all power would be in the hands of the provincial governments. The two leaders are scheduled to meet again today, and Z.A. Bhutto, in a complete about-face, flew to Dacca yesterday to participate in the discussions.

The [US] President's Daily Brief

23 March 1971

FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY

PAKISTAN

President Yahya, after a meeting with Bhutto and Mujib, has postponed the convening of the National Assembly that had been scheduled to begin writing a new constitution on Thursday. [Few words redacted] he and Mujib have already agreed to the broad outlines of a solution. Although many details remain to be worked out, martial law would end, civilian provincial governments would begin to function, and an interim national cabinet formed. With all parties apparently in agreement that more time is needed for negotiations among the political leaders, it seem unlikely there will be a repetition of the violence that followed Yahya's earlier postponement of the assembly on 1 March.

The [US] President's Daily Brief

24 March 1971

FOR THE PRESIDENT ONLY

PAKISTAN

The disputants appear to have made some progress behind the scenes toward a political agreement, despite their sharply conflicting public statements. Bhutto says he is examining an "agreement" reached by Mujib and President Yahya. Presumably this is the one noted in The President's Daily Brief yesterday calling for an end to martial law, the start of civilian governments in the provinces, and the formation of an interim central cabinet.

Bhutto may be overemphasizing the progress made thus far in an attempt to enhance his own role and to forestall other West Pakistani leaders now in Dacca from eroding his position. Mujib, for his part, denies the existence of any agreement. However far the discussions have gone, Mujib may believe that unsettled matters such as the division of powers between the provinces and the central government are more important than any of the agreed points. At least until this is settled, he would be loath to admit to agreeing to anything short of full provincial autonomy.