While the United Nations discussed cease-fire proposals and held debates, with the Pakistan military's surrender deemed evident on December 14, 1971, a defiant General Yahya Khan, wanted to teach India a lesson for augmenting the split of Pakistan.
He asked his representative to the UN, Foreign Minister-designate Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, to push for a cease-fire, troops withdrawal and a political settlement in East Pakistan within the framework of one Pakistan.
After US Ambassador to Pakistan Joseph S. Farland met with Gen Yahya on December 14, the military ruler telephoned him to say that his instructions to Bhutto remained valid in the event India insisted on pursuing the war.
"I will have to have twenty B-57s immediately,” Farland quoted Gen Yahya as saying in a message to the US President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger.
The B-57 is a US-made medium bomber that blends a fighter's agility with a bomber's weapons-delivery capability.
Yahya said the situation in East Pakistan had continued to deteriorate, which was taking place at a much more rapid rate than anticipated.
“Consequently, for humane reasons, it was necessary to minimize the bloodshed which was occurring, and that he wanted me to know that the bloodshed being inflicted both by the military and civilian populations was reaching holocaust proportions,” Farland said.
In his report to President Yahya on December 13, Abdul Motaleb Malik, the last civilian governor of East Pakistan, warned that, according to his information, the Indian army intended to kill all West Pakistanis in East Pakistan, both military and civilian.
He and his cabinet felt that Pakistan had to accept any cease-fire terms dictated that would prevent a massacre in East Pakistan, Farland told the State Department.
During the meeting with Farland, Gen Yahya acknowledged that the military situation in East Pakistan had hopelessly deteriorated, and provided the US envoy with Governor Malik's report of the chaotic conditions.
“Because the military situation is now irretrievable and for over-riding humanitarian reasons, Yahya is giving Bhutto widest possible latitude at the UN to effect a ceasefire and troop withdrawal,” Farland said.
The conversation ensued for an hour and 45 minutes. Foreign Secretary Sultan Khan was present during most of the meeting.
Farland informed President Yahya about a flash wire from the US Consul General in Dacca, Herbert A Spivack, that he had received a phone call from Governor Malik.
The governor said that he and Maj Gen Rao Farman Ali were prepared to submit to Spivack certain proposals for a cease-fire.
Malik said a cease-fire was absolutely necessary in as much as the situation had become hopelessly worse. He had assured the Consul General that the proposals would carry their signatures and would have the approval of President Yahya.
“These proposals, according to Governor Malik, would not be forthcoming in as much as General Niazi had stated that negotiations are taking place in Islamabad between the central government and Ambassador Farland, and that there was no need for me (Malik) to convey any proposals,” the envoy said.
In his previous conversations with Farland, Gen Yahya noted that the subject of cease-fire had been discussed only in general terms and without reference to specifics; “However, current conditions now require USG be informed of specific determinations of GOP”.
Gen Yahya said he had attempted to call Governor Malik that morning, but the communication system was largely inoperative and no satisfactory conversation was concluded.
The Pakistan president said that, for over-riding humanitarian considerations, he had decided to give Vice Prime Minister-and Foreign Minister-designate Bhutto the widest possible latitude in his approach to the UN to effect a cease-fire and troop withdrawal.
Gen Yahya said the communication to Bhutto had been couched in Foreign Office jargon but what it said in brief was "do the best you can under the circumstances”.
The ruthless military dictator concluded the conversation by saying that he would be sending “military instructions to General Niazi to continue moderate defensive activities during the diplomatic maneuvering, but with every effort being made to reduce loss of life”.
