The Reporter (author of @southasia71's tweets)
The author of the tweets must keep their identity secret at all costs. They have secret access to documents in both the UK and the US. Using secret technology, the reporter is able to intercept communications that are coming from British and American embassies in South Asia. Using this equipment, the reporter will be able to provide an exclusive insight on the events and be able to report on major developments before the press and other media outlets. The reporter has no association with any of the key figures or countries involved in the events and will strive to remain objective. |
Yahya Khan: President of Pakistan
After becoming President of Pakistan in 1969, Yahya was tasked with transferring power in Pakistan from a military dictatorship to a democratically elected government. In early 1970 he announced that elections would be held later in the year. Yahya is a “no-nonsense” military officer, known for his flippant nature (and alcoholism). His supporters and sympathisers see him as a transitional leader, desperately trying to bring about the transfer of power to the people. His critics see him as secretly wanting to maintain the military’s grip on power. One thing is certain however, Yahya is totally committed to the unity of East and West Pakistan and will go to any lengths to protect it. |
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Mujib): Leader of the Awami League (AL)
In 1966 Mujib announced his 6 points for full autonomy, amid a wave of discontent in East Pakistan. As leader of the Awami League, he called for full devolution for the Eastern Wing and garnered mass popular support. His claims that East Pakistan has been exploited by the West since the creation of Pakistan in 1947 have struck a chord with the Bengali people, and he is a heavy favourite to win a majority of the National Assembly seats available in East Pakistan. Opinions differ as to Mujib’s true intentions. He himself insists that he still wants Pakistan to remain united and does not want an independent East Pakistan or “Bangla Desh” as it is often referred to. His critics in Pakistan’s western wing claim that the 6 points will eventually lead to independence for the East. |
Zulqifur Ali Bhutto: Leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Bhutto was formerly Pakistan’s Foreign Minister under Yahya’s predecessor, Ayub Khan. He was the chief architect of Pakistan’s improved relationship with China in the wake of the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965. After being released from jail, where he had been sent by Ayub for criticising the regime, he formed the Pakistan People’s Party. Fighting the election on the principal of “Islamic Socialism” Bhutto is expected to perform well electorally in the Western Wing. Bhutto is committed to a united Pakistan and is hated in the East. When concerns were raised during the 1965 war with India over Kashmir as to who would defend the Eastern wing (as all of Pakistan resources were concentrated in the West), Bhutto inferred that China would assume responsibility. This enraged Bengalis who saw it as proof that the government in the West cared more about Kashmir than they did about the eastern portion of their own country. |
Richard Nixon: President of the United States
Nixon became President in 1969 with preconceived opinions about India and Pakistan. As Vice President under Dwight Eisenhower and as a private citizen, he felt the respect with which he had been treated by Pakistanis contrasted with the indifference he had been subject to in India. Consequently, Nixon was on good terms with Yahya and had a disdain for Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The US ceased its supply of military equipment to India and Pakistan following the war of 1965. Though Nixon made a “one-time exception” to this rule in favour of Pakistan in October 1970, this was partly in exchange for Yahya’s help in facilitating US contact with China. In his first meeting with Yahya as President of the United States, Nixon exclaimed “Pakistan is a country I’d like to do everything for”. The course of events in 1971 will be sure to test Nixon’s commitment. |
Edward Heath: Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Since becoming Prime Minister in June 1970, Heath has looked to improve relations with India. UK-Indian relations suffered a setback in 1965 when Harold Wilson publicly blamed India for instigating the conflict. Heath will be keen not to repeat such errors over the course of his premiership. Heath has a trip to both India and Pakistan scheduled for January 1971 where he will be looking to maintain good relations with both parties. The Prime Minister wants to maintain the UK’s influence throughout South Asia, but recognises that good relations with India are more valuable. |
Indira Gandhi: Prime Minister of India
Indira Gandhi became Indian Prime Minister in 1966. She is the daughter of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. In terms of East Pakistan, she is not in favour of independence. There are two main reasons for this, the first is that an endorsement of such a movement could trigger similar movements within India, notably in West Bengal. Secondly, she fears international condemnation, as the UN charter specifically outlaws interference with the internal affairs of a sovereign nation. |
Joseph Farland: US Ambassador to Pakistan
Joseph Farland was appointed Ambassador to Pakistan in 1969, and enjoys the full confidence of President Nixon. Based at the US Embassy in Islamabad he has developed close links with the military government and is trusted by President Yahya Khan. In fact, his relationship with Yahya has become so close that it has led to speculation that it has led to a genuine friendship and the two often enjoying a drink together. Farland strenuously denies this however, and maintains that their relationship is nothing but professional. |
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Sir Cyril Pickard: UK High Commissioner to Pakistan
Sir Cyril Pickard is an experienced British diplomat. Appointed to the post of High Commissioner to Pakistan in 1966, he has developed a deep understanding of the region during his four 4 years in post. He is a consumate professional and believes that the continued unity of Pakistan is in the British interest. Nonetheless, he has sympathy for the Bengali people, and is privately a staunch critic of Bhutto. |
Archer Blood: US Consul General in Dacca
Blood is junior to Ambassador Joseph Farland, but he is the most senior US diplomat in Pakistan's Eastern wing. He has many years experience in South Asia and has a genuine fondness for the region and its people. Blood has good links with both the Awami League and the military government, and is well respected by the diplomatic community. He wants peace for the region, but is working above all to protect the American naional interest |
Kenneth Keating: US Ambassador to India
A republican member of Congress for almost 20 years, Kenneth Keating was appointed Ambassador to India in 1969. He is well known for being a moderate and is not trusted by the Nixon administration to the same degree as Farland. He has often been accused of lacking knowledge of South Asia and being generally disinterested in his job. He has a track record however of standing up for what he believes in, and is not afraid of disagreeing with orders from the very top. |
Henry Kissinger: National Security Advisor to US President Richard Nixon
Appointed by Richard Nixon in 1969, Henry Kissinger is said to be one of the most powerful men within the Nixon administration. It's no secret that Kissinger is firmly within the President's inner circle, and is the premier foreign policy adviser within the US government. It is assumed that on matters of high importance, US foreign policy is drawn up solely by the Nixon-Kissinger partnership. Reports suggest that Kissinger has been quick to emulate Nixon's fondness for Pakistan and dislike for India. |
Joe Sisco: Head of the Near East Asian Office, US State Department
Joe Sisco is head of the Near East Asian Department, a Department that has relations with South Asia under its jurisdiction. Like all senior diplomats, Sisco is fiercely loyal to his country, and believes that the continued unity of Pakistan is in the American national interest. He is sceptical of Nixon's overt bias toward Pakistan, but is not willing to criticise the President |
Agha Hilaly: Pakistan Ambassador to the US
Agha Hilaly is a loyal servant of President Yahya Khan. In fact he has been a prominent diplomat for the majority of the military regime's period in power. he has previously served in high profile diplomatic roles such as Ambassador to the Soviet Union, India, and most recently to the United Nations. In the US he has forged strong links with the government in Washington, and is held in high regard by Nixon and Kissinger. |