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July 6, 1982

US Embassy Pakistan Cable 10276 to State Department, 'My Final Meeting with President Zia'

This document was made possible with support from Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY)

After Ambassador General Vernon Walters’ second day meeting with President Zia, the Pakistani leader verbally acknowledged U.S. evidence that Pakistan sought nuclear weapons components from abroad despite promises not to do so. However, Zia refused to put this in writing, and in a letter to President Reagan claimed the U.S. intelligence was a “total fabrication,” likely in an effort to save face.



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US Embassy Pakistan Cable 10239 to State Department, 'My First Meeting with President Zia'

A report to the State Department from Ambassador General Vernon Walters on his meeting with President Zia, where he confronted the Pakistani President with “incontrovertible evidence” that his country had “transferred designs and specifications for nuclear weapons components to purchasing agents in several countries for the purpose of having these nuclear weapons components fabricated for Pakistan” despite promises not to do so. Zia denied the charge, and Walter later commented, “either he really does not know or is the most superb and patriotic liar I have ever met.”

Document Information

Source

State Department Mandatory Declassification Review release.Obtained and contributed by William Burr and included in NPIHP Research Update #6.

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Original Uploaded Date

2012-05-25

Type

Cable

Language

Record ID

114253

Original Classification

Secret

Donors

Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY)