THIS is with reference to the article, ‘Simla agreement, at last’ (Sept 23). In discussing the Simla agreement, writer Shaikh Aziz referred to a serious deadlock, which could not be cleared during the three-day talks. It was at the last moment that both leaders decided to reach an agreement which, according to him, remained an intriguing mystery. This was also mulled over by analysts for quite some time.

The mystery was in fact cleared by Rafi Raza, then federal minister for production and industries (1973-77), who was also one of the delegates to the summit. This he mentions in his book ‘Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Pakistan — 1967-1977’.

According to the author, Z.A. Bhutto, despite choosing the delegation carefully to capture a broad spread of public opinion, was deeply concerned about the impact of the talks on the domestic situation. He was concerned that political hawks in Punjab may give it a different tilt, making it sound or resemble a ‘surrender’. He, therefore. stressed on taking a piecemeal approach to improve relations between the two countries. Although Indira Gandhi agreed that a broad settlement could not possibly be reached with so many other outstanding issues, she showed her resolve on having redesigned the UN ceasefire line as the Line of Control.

Author Rafi Raza has also mentioned ZAB’s hour-long one-to-one meeting with Indira Gandhi during their famous walk in the garden. Raza stated that though it was later circulated that this walk led to a successful outcome at Simla, Indira stuck to the text of the agreement prepared by her officials.

Raza stated further that while the two leaders were taking the walk, he and Foreign Office Director-General Aftab Ahmed were discussing some suitable terminology to protect our legal and political position while acknowledging the change of nomenclature from ceasefire line to the Line of Control. Raza suggested that the insertion of words ‘without prejudice to their internationally recognised positions” would sufficiently safeguard Pakistan’s interests.

During a formal dinner ZAB had told the Indian PM about the insertion of the suggested terms and words. P.N. Haksar after a brief discussion with Rafi Raza on the additional words said he would explain this to his prime minister and her colleagues. Later, Haskar returned asking Rafi Raza to personally explain the insertion to the Indian prime minister.

According to the author, Haskar led him into the billiard room where the Indian prime minister and her inner cabinet of five, including Swaran Singh and Jagjiwan Ram, were present.

The draft of the text was on the billiard table. Raza reported that no one present in the room was prepared to consider any change in the text. They were not even prepared to listen to him, until the PM took over.

After listening to him patiently, Indira Gandhi remarked that she understood how the additional words would help Pakistan overcome difficulties but asked as to why the Indian side should not consider it to be one-sided. It should be acceptable to both parties, she added.

After Raza’s explanation, she asked about the exact place where the words were to be inserted. After reading out the whole clause, including the inserted words, by Rafi Raza, she thanked him.

ZAB and Aziz Ahmed were waiting in the other room. Rafi Raza mentions that tension was so high that they jumped up as he came in. After some time, in came a smiling Haksar. His prime minister had agreed to the insertion in the agreement.

The author had categorically rejected a secret agreement as according to him the only occasions ZAB met the Indian PM alone were the hour-long walk and at the banquet whereas events, which led to the final agreement, took place preceding and subsequent to the midnight meeting.

The date of agreement was wrongly typed as the preceding day. By then it was the early hours of July 3. In the author’s words, ‘it was the wrong date but the right agreement’.

Moreover, D.P. Dhar was not in the talks as he was hospitalised due to a mild heart attack. During the stay in Simla, ZAB, Aziz Ahmed and Rafi Raza visited him in hospital to inquire about his health.

MANZOOR H. KURESHI     Karachi