Gossipmonger
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IslamabadThe 1971 Soviet (ex-USSR) ambassador in New Delhi Mr Nikolai Pegov had told the Americans that if India decided to ignore Soviet advice and take Pak-held Kashmir (AJK), it should be done in shortest possible time and the USSR would not interfere. The immediate reaction of the Americans to the Soviets designs is not quoted in the document.
The Soviet intention is revealed in Henry Kissingers December 16, 1971, memo to President Richard Nixon (declassified US Foreign Relations 1969-76 document number 319 of volume XI). Soviet ambassador Pegov reportedly said that there is no need for India to launch an offensive in the West (Pakistan) because Pakistan military machine has already been crushed. Pegov reportedly added, however, that if India decided to ignore Soviet advice and take Pak-held Kashmir, it should be done in shortest possible time and the USSR would not interfere, says the document.
About likelihood of US or Chinese intervention Pegov asserted the Soviet fleet was also in the Indian Ocean and would not allow the Seventh fleet (of US) to intervene. If the Chinese moved in Ladakh, Pegov said, the Soviets would open a diversionary action in Sinkiang.
At that crisis peak the document records the US reaction: In Pakistan, the media has begum to focus attention increasingly on speculation of possible U.S. assistance or intervention via the Seventh Fleet.
It needs to be recalled that Pakistan at that crucial phase was ally of the USA under the SEATO and CENTO military pacts which in the face of 1971 Hindustani aggression proved just a piece of deadwood.
Soviets wanted AJK sliced off
The Soviet intention is revealed in Henry Kissingers December 16, 1971, memo to President Richard Nixon (declassified US Foreign Relations 1969-76 document number 319 of volume XI). Soviet ambassador Pegov reportedly said that there is no need for India to launch an offensive in the West (Pakistan) because Pakistan military machine has already been crushed. Pegov reportedly added, however, that if India decided to ignore Soviet advice and take Pak-held Kashmir, it should be done in shortest possible time and the USSR would not interfere, says the document.
About likelihood of US or Chinese intervention Pegov asserted the Soviet fleet was also in the Indian Ocean and would not allow the Seventh fleet (of US) to intervene. If the Chinese moved in Ladakh, Pegov said, the Soviets would open a diversionary action in Sinkiang.
At that crisis peak the document records the US reaction: In Pakistan, the media has begum to focus attention increasingly on speculation of possible U.S. assistance or intervention via the Seventh Fleet.
It needs to be recalled that Pakistan at that crucial phase was ally of the USA under the SEATO and CENTO military pacts which in the face of 1971 Hindustani aggression proved just a piece of deadwood.
Soviets wanted AJK sliced off
