বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড
Mr. Joseph Sisco, State
Mr. Armistead Selden, Defense
Mr. James Noyes, Defense,
Mr. John Waller, CIA
Mr. Samuel Hoskanson, NSC
Col. Richard Kenndey, NSC
Mr. Harold Saunders. NSC
Rear Adm. Robert Velander, OJCS
Capt. Howard Kay, OJCS
Mr. Maurice Williams, AID
3. Summary. Discussion was devoted to the massive problems facing Bangladesh as a nation. Dr. Kissinger indicated that the problem should be studied now. The subject of possible military aid to Pakistan is also to be examined, but on a very close hold basis. The matter of Indian redeployment from East to West was considered as was the legality of the current sea 'blockade' by India.
4. Mr. Helms opened the meeting by briefing the current situation. He stated that the Indians had recognized Bangladesh and the Paks had broken diplomatic ties with India. Major fighting continued in the East but India is engaged in a holding action in the West. Mr. Helms felt that the Indians will attempt to force, a decision in East within the next 10 days. The India have almost total air superiority now in the East where they can employ approximately a hundred of their aircraft against Pak ground forces and logistic areas. The Indians, however, have not yet broken through on the ground in East Pakistan. Major thrust of the Indian effort in East Pakistan is in the north-west corner of the province. The airfield at Dacca is all but closed. The Indians are registering only minor gains in the Jessore area, but they claim to have taken Kamalpur. In the West, Indian activity is essentially limited to air attacks. The Paks appear to be on the offensive on the ground and have launched air strikes in Punjab. Overall, the Paks claim 61 Indian aircraft destroyed; the Indians claim 47 Pak planes. In naval action one Pak destroyer has been sunk by the Indians and another claimed sunked (sic). The Indian also claim the sinking of one Pak submarine in eastern waters. Moscow is increasingly vocal in its support of India and is not supporting any UN moves to halt the fighting. The Chinese press made its strongest attack on the Indian this morning.
5. Dr. Kissinger then asked for a military assessment, questioning how long the Paks might be able to hold out in the East. General Westmoreland responded that it might be as much as three weeks.
6. Dr. Kissinger asked what is to be done with Bangladesh. Mr. Helms stated that for: all practical purposes it is now an independent country recognized by India.
7. Ambassador Johnson suggested that the Pak armed forces now in East Pakistan could be held hostage. General Westmoreland reinforced this by nothing there was no means of evacuating West Pak forces from the East wing, particularly in view of Indian
