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Approved for Release: 2020/08/11 C02000168 SECRET # Pakistan Taking More Independent Position In recent editorials probably approved by the military government, two leading Pakistani papers have called for Pakistan's "gradual disengagement from the role of a committed nation" and for improved relations with the bloc. President Ayub has recently expressed concern over the flow of news articles that the United States would concentrate its aid on India, adding that Pakistani reaction to these stories was a problem for his government. The military regime probably hopes the recent editorials will serve as a warning to the incoming American administration that it should not take Pakistan's cooperation for granted and increase aid to India at Pakistan's expense. President Ayub has made it clear that Pakistan remains committed to its alliance with the United States and strongly supported Western positions during his recent Middle and Far Eastern tours. During his visit to Cairo in early November, Ayub reportedly told newsmen who asked for his views on non-alignment: "I don't understand positive neutralism. You should ask President Nasir; he's the expert on neutralism." In Tokyo in mid-December Ayub told reporters that Pakistan stood ready to send troops to Laos if SEATO decided to intervene there. While Pakistan plans no basic change in its commitments, it has moved to make a show of independence in its foreign policy, starting with its decision in the summer of 1959 to adopt a tougher line toward Afghanistan. Pakistan's current negotiations with the USSR for oil-exploration assistance are part of its more recent efforts to improve relations with Moscow. Rawalpindi probably considers Moscow's silence on the September border clashes with Afghanistan north of the Khyber Pass an encouraging sign. In addition, Ayub apparently hopes to persuade other Afro-Asian nations that it has a "flexible" foreign policy. SECRET 5 Jan 61 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 3 Approved for Release: 2020/08/11 C02000168

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