From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Record of a Conversation with US Secretary of State H. Kissinger, 10 October 1973'

RECORD OF A CONVERSATION

with US Secretary of State H. KISSINGER

10 October 1973

Referring to instructions, I passed Kissinger the following:

In Moscow they are surprised at the discussion which the Secretary of State had with the Soviet Ambassador on 9 October concerning reports of our appeals to the leaders of some Arab countries in connection with the resumption of hostilities in the Middle East.

Haven’t we said more than once, both publicly, including in the form of the October 7 Soviet government statement, and in confidential contacts with the President, that we support the just struggle of the Arab peoples against Israeli aggression?

The President well knows that we were not supporters of a resumption of hostilities, but in the conditions of Israel’s continued occupation of Arab lands, this could have been expected at any moment, which we have also told the President more than once.

And now, when this has happened, when there is a war going on, what should we call for - not for support for the aggressor, who has seized and held foreign lands for the past six years, ignores all the decisions of the United Nations, and violates the norms of international law?

If Kissinger has already touched on this topic, which we can also ask, and with much greater justification, are there not an abundance of American statements, including at a high level, in support of Israel, which persists in its aggressive aspirations?

Moreover, the matter is not limited to statements of political support for the aggressor. How to understand, for example, the demonstrative movements of the US 6th Fleet in the eastern Mediterranean in recent days? And this is being done during those days when there is an exchange of views between the Soviet leadership and the President concerning a cessation of hostilities in the Middle East. And after all, in contacts with us the American side itself has not said a word about the actions of its Fleet.

We repeat, we have been and remain strong supporters of a political settlement in the Middle East, the main, fundamental condition of which is the liberation of all Arab territories captured by Israel. Unfortunately, in spite of all our efforts, we have still not been able to achieve any forward movement on this question. There have been many conversations between us on this topic, but, as you know, things didn’t go beyond conversations.

We continue to apply efforts to find common ground to take effective measures to establish a durable and just peace in the Middle East.

We hold to the point of view that, with the degree of confidentiality which has developed between the Soviet leaders and the President, a more balanced approach is necessary to the questions which are arising.

As concerns the substance of the position on the question of a ceasefire and a transition to active steps towards a political settlement in the Middle East, we have already informed the President on this issue; the last time was several hours ago. We repeat that it would be good if our countries acted together on this entire question until it was completely resolved.

SOVIET AMBASSADOR IN THE US

(A. DOBRYNIN)