Saturday, July 2 2005 11:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Indicative of the influence wielded by the US, Pakistan Gen Yahya Khan had in March 1969 informed President Richard Nixon of his decision to impose martial law and sought Washington's goodwill, understanding and support.

Explaining that since the civil administration and constitutional authority in Pakistan had become ineffective, Khan told Nixon he had no option but to place the country under martial law and assume all powers as Chief Martial Law Administrator.

In documents declassified by the State Department, Khan said it would be his endeavour to restore as soon as possible normal conditions in Pakistan as a preliminary to early restoration of democratic rule and civilian Government elected on the basis of adult franchise.

In his letter routed through the then Secretary of State William P Rogers, Khan assured the American President that there would be no change in Pakistan's policy, which sought friendship with all countries.

In its assessment, the US Mission in Pakistan wrote to State Department contending that the principal reasons for clamping of martial law was to protect existing power structure in West Pakistan and to prevent East Pakistan from obtaining national political power proportionate to population.

The communication spoke of the need to support Khan while at the same time seeking to expand U S leverage in pushing for a satisfactory political solution.

It was also made clear that Washington could not continue support to a regime, which became alienated from the populace. The US saw the possibility of such a situation developing particularly in East Pakistan.

The Americans emphatically stated in one of the secret communications that it could not wait ideally until the success of Khan was clear and indisputable.

It spoke of the possibility of a weak, chaotic, Leftist state in the East "easily subject to influence from West Bengal and China, which could even develop into a battleground for pre-dominant influence between pro-Soviet and pro-Chinese Communist elements".

"Future developments in Pakistan will unfold rather slowly and in fact may depend in part upon the way in which we play our role," a telegram sent by the American mission in Pakistan to the State Department said.

It said US choices included transferring support from Ayub Khan to Yahya Khan, to withdraw or limit economic and military assistance and new commitments till the military ruler's intentions toward establishment of political framework became clear and expanded leverage to persuade and assist Yahya Khan in "directions we favour".