<--PREV Doc #889  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  Second Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #891 Document #890; October 11, 1958 To Iskander Mirza Series: EM, AWF, International Series: Pakistan ; Category: Cable. Secret The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XIX - The Presidency: Keeping the Peace Part V: Forcing the President's Hand; June 1958 to October 1958 Chapter 13: Quemoy and Matsu   Dear Mr. President: Thank you for your personal message regarding recent developments in your country, and for your assurance that Pakistan will honor its commitments and remain loyal to the free world.1 It is always a matter of regret to me, as it must be to you, when a government feels it necessary to resort to extraordinary political measures to avert a national catastrophe. I was therefore gratified by your statement that martial law will remain in effect for the shortest period possible. I understand it is your intention to devise a new constitution and to submit it to a popular referendum. I can well understand how much deep and anxious thought must have preceded your decision to assume the heavy responsibilities which now rest upon your shoulders. I hardly need emphasize the bonds of friendship and common interest which unite our two peoples. I wish you every success in the momentous tasks of furthering the welfare of the Pakistan people and of re-establishing constitutional government in Pakistan.2 Sincerely 1 Political unrest and dissatisfaction with the government had increased in Pakistan during the summer months. On October 4 President Mirza had informed U.S. Ambassador James M. Langley of his plans; three days later he had declared martial law throughout the country, appointing General Ayub Khan as chief martial law administrator. He also annulled the constitution, dismissed the government of his prime minister, dissolved the national and provisional assemblies, and abolished all political parties. Mirza said that he had watched "with deepest anxiety" the corruption in the government and "the shameful exploitation" of the Pakistani people. Such activities, he said, had led "to a dictatorship of the lowest order," and elections scheduled for February 1959 would not improve the chaotic situation (State, Foreign Relations, 1958 - 1960, vol. XV, South and Southeast Asia, pp. 664 - 73; New York Times, Oct. 8, 9, 1958). Mirza had told Eisenhower that the constitution was unworkable under the present conditions and that martial law would be in effect for the shortest possible time. He had asked for Eisenhower's "sympathy and cooperation in the difficult period ahead" (Mirza to Eisenhower, Oct. 8, 1958, AWF/I: Pakistan). In his memorandum accompanying the State Department draft of this letter, Secretary Dulles had told Eisenhower that the reply was worded "to encourage the new regime not to rely indefinitely on authoritarian measures" as a means to maintain stability. After Eisenhower had approved the draft, it was cabled to Ambassador Langley for delivery to the Pakistani president (Dulles to Eisenhower, Oct. 10, 1958, ibid.). 2 According to Langley, Mirza was pleased with Eisenhower's letter and indicated that he might release the text. State Department officials, however, would request that the text not be publicized (State, Foreign Relations, 1958 - 1960, vol. XV, South and Southeast Asia, p. 674). CIA Director Allen Dulles would tell the National Security Council that the takeover had proceeded calmly. The situation, he said, was typical of the difficulties involved in making democracy work in underdeveloped countries (NSC meeting minutes, Oct. 17, 1958, AWF/NSC). For developments see no. 1388. Bibliographic reference to this document: Eisenhower, Dwight D. Cable. Secret To Iskander Mirza, 11 October 1958. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 890. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/second-term/documents/890.cfm <--PREV Doc #889  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  Second Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #891

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