The American Papers: Secret and Confidential

This is a massive compilation of secret and confidential documents, recently declassified, concerning US policy and perception of momentous events in the subcontinent from 1965-1973. It is probably the largest collection of such revelatory documents in the history of the subcontinent. Although essentially historical in character, the documents chronicle events that have contemporary significance and affect vital matters of national importance even today. The documents are drawn from state and defence department files, and focus on the East Pakistan crisis of 1971, the breakup of Pakistan, and the first two years of Z.A. Bhutto’s rule. The documents consist of telegrams, airgrams etc., to and from the State Department: Memoranda of conversation with heads of governments, foreign ministers, important political leaders, confidential letters to the US President, and minutes of meetings at the State Department. The documents constitute the thoughts of American diplomats and the State Department about events in the subcontinent. The documents help in developing reasonably a full picture of events in the subcontinent as seen through American eyes. The documents constitute source material of immense importance to research scholars, historians, diplomats, students of history and international affairs, and the general reading public primarily in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.