The United States and the Soviet Union expressed “deep concern” today over the continuing Middle East conflict, acknowledged that they were still far apart on a solution but pledged to avoid a confrontation in that area.
These were the main points relating to the Middle East in the joint communique by President Nixon and Soviet Communist Party Secretary Leonid I, Brezhnev, released in San Clemente, California today, and in the briefing for newsmen given immediately afterwards by Presidential advisor Henry Kissinger.
Brezhnev, who ended his nine-day American visit this morning, said in a television address to the American people last night that the Middle East situation is still “very acute.”
The Joint communique said that both superpowers “agreed to continue to exert their efforts to promote the quickest possible settlement in the Middle East” which “should be in accordance with the Interests of all the states In the area, be consistent with their independence and sovereignty and should take into account the legitimate Interests of the Palestinian people.”
Dr. Kissinger, in his briefing, referred to the Middle East as “one of the most complex areas” and said that the Arab-Israeli conflict and the “so-called great power rivalry” are “Inextricably linked.”
MIDEAST IS PART OF UNFINISHED AGENDA
Kissinger stressed that neither the U.S. nor the Soviet Union “agree on the evolution of the Middle East conflict or how It should be resolved.” He said that both sides will make an effort not to
Kissinger said that “obviously the Middle East is part of the unfinished agenda” of Nixon and Brezhnev and will be taken up again at their third summit meeting in Moscow next year. “We didn’t expect to finish it this meeting, “he added.
Kissinger’s remarks at the Western White House were broadcast to Washington newsmen assembled in the White House press room here this afternoon.
The Presidential advisor stressed the dangers inherent in the continuing conflict. He said that in 1970 the great powers came close to the brink of war, “closer than the world realized.”when Syrian tanks invaded Jordan at a time when Jordan was battling Palestinian guerrillas.
Kissinger did not explain why he believed that brief incident of intra-Arab conflict contained the seeds of a big power confrontation. It was recalled here, however, that the U.S. Sixth fleet was alerted during that crisis, that the Russians still maintained a huge military establishment in Egypt and that Moscow supported Damascus while the U.S. backed Jordan:
Kissinger acknowledged that today’s joint communique made it clear that there was no unanimity of views on the Middle East between the U.S. and Russia. Whether the differences are “as wide or narrower, the future must decide. Obviously, we discussed this issue at some length,” he said.
MIDEAST STILL ‘SERIOUS BONE OF CONTENTION’
In his TV address last night, reportedly taped in Moscow before Brezhnev came to the U.S., the Soviet leader said with reference to the Middle East: “We believe in that area Justice should be assured as soon as possible and a stable peace settlement reached that will restore the legitimate rights of those who suffered from the war and insure the security of all people in that region. This is important for all people in the Middle East with no exceptions. This is also important for the maintenance of universal peace.”
Observers studying the joint communique and Kissinger’s subsequent remarks said it was clear that the Middle East Is still a serious bone of contention between the U.S. and USSR and that neither side is about to back down from its position. They said that basically the Soviets want a settlement imposed by the big powers while the U.S. holds the view that a settlement must be negotiated by the parties to the conflict.
Observers thought it was significant that nowhere in the Joint communique or in Kissinger’s briefing was any mention made of the United Nations Security Council’s Middle East debate.
BREZHNEV IN PARIS
Brezhnev deported today for Paris for two days of meetings with French President Georges Pompidou at which the Middle East situation is expected-to be discussed.
(French government officials said in Paris today that Pompidou did not Intend to make the Middle East situation a major topic of discussion in his talks with Brezhnev. Sources in Paris said the principal reason Pompidou Invite Brezhnev was to firm up the French position in the world’s political framework.)
(Foreign Minister Abba Eban was briefed on the U.S. summit talks by the U.S. Charge d’Affaires Owen Zurhellen in Jerusalem today. Officials said the American diplomat explained to Eban the significance of the U.S.-Soviet nuclear weapons accord for world peace, They also dis-cussed in general terms the Mideast section of the Nixon-Brezhnev communique.)
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
