CABLE TO THE WHITE HOUSE FROM JERUSALEM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-259-1-34-6
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: June 21, 2010
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: December 16, 1973
• Content Type: CABLE

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/06/21 : LOC-HAK-259-1-34-6
***** S E C RE T *******S''COPY
00052 3501730
6 ZFF1
FM JERUSALEM
TO THE WHITE HOUSE
S E C R E T 161723Z DEC 73 SENSITIVE EYES ONLY
HAKTO 52 IMMEDIATE
FOR SCOWCROFT FROM THE`SECRETARY
PLEASE PASS FOLLOWING MESSAGE. TO THE PRESIDENT:
I HAD A SIX AND ONE-HALF HOUR CONVERSATION WITH ASAD
WHICH GAVE ME AN INSIGHT INTO SYRIAN CHARACTER AND SHREWDNESS.
ASAD IS INTELLIGENT, TOUGH, PERSONABLE WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR,
A LEADER WHO SEEMS TO BE WALKING A TIGHTROPE IN FACE OF INTERNAL
PRESSURES FROM THE BAATH PARTY. THERE IS N? QUESTIONS HOWEVER,
THAT HE IS THE TOUGHEST AND LEAST CONCILIATORY ARAB LEADER THAT I
HAVE MET.
HE WAS RELAXED ON THE QUESTION OF THE POSTPONEMENT OF
THE PEACE CONFERENCE FROM THE 18TH TO THE 21ST, MAKING THE POINT TO
ME THAT SYRIA PROBABLY WOULD NOT GO TO THE PEACE CONFERENCE UNLESS
I WOULD COMMIT US IN,ADVANCE OF THE NEGOTIATION TO A PRECISE LINE OF
WITHDRAWAL FOR ISRAEL. THIS WE CANNOT DO BEFORE THE CONFERENCE HAS
EVEN CONVENED. ON THE OTHER HAND THERE ARE OTHER INDICATORS THAT
HE WILL PROBABLY GO. TO THE CONFERENCE AND THAT THIS IS ONLY BARGAIN-
ING, I TOLD HIM IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE A DISENGAGEMENT'AGREE
MENT BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE BUT THAT IF HE COULD GIVE
SENSITIVE EYES ONLY
ME SOME SPECIFIC SYRIAN IDEAS IN THIS REGARD WHICH I COULD DISCUSS
WITH THE ISRAELISP I COULD MAKE A MAJOR EFFORT TO BRING ABOUT A
DISENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT ON THE SYRIAN-ISRAELI FRONT MORE OR LESS
ON-FILE NSC
RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
SYMMETRICAL WITH THE ONE WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE ON THE ISRAELI-EGYPTIAN
FRONT. I WILL BE EXPLORING SUNDAY WITH MRS. MIER ANY IDEAS SHE MAY
HAVE IN THIS-REGARD. I 'WILL THEN SEND OUR AMBASSADOR TO BEIRUT,
BUFFUM, TO DAMASCUS'ON TUESDAY FOR FURTHER DISCUSSIONS.
I PRESSED HIM VERY HARD ON THE POW ISSUE AND TOLD HIM THAT IT
WOULD BE IN HIS INTERESTS TO PROVIDE THE ISRAELIS WITH A LIST, PERMIT
RED CROSS VISITS AND EXCHANGE THE WOUNDED AT THE TIME THE PEACE
CONFERENCE OPENS, AND HE COULD DEFER THE EXCHANGE OF THE REMAINDER OF
THE PRISONERS UNTIL AN AGREEMENT ON THE DISENGAGEMENT WAS ACHIEVED.
HE DID NOT BUDGE ON THIS, AND WE KNOW FROM OTHER PREVIOUS.
REPORTS THAT HE THINKS THAT HE CAN,GETEVEN BETTER TERMS. PROM THE
ISRAELIS IN VIEW OF THE EMfTIONS ON T.HIS.ISSUE IN ISRAEL DURING
* * * * * * * * * * * * * .* * *WHSR COMMENT * * * * * * * * * * ** * * *
SCOWCROFT MCFARLANE SEC FILES
RECALLED
P5N:010836 PAGE 01 TOR:.350/18:222 DTG:161'7232 DEC 73
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No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/06/21 : LOC-HAK-259-1-34-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/06/21 : LOC-HAK-259-1-34-6
****** S E C R E, T *******s Copy
THIS ELECTION CAMPAIGN.
ASAD SAW IMMEDIATELY THE NEED FOR ONGOING PRACTICAL CONTACTS
BETWEEN US AND HE HAS AGREED THAT WE CAN OPEN AN INTERESTS SECTION
WITH THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE WITHOUT A LOT OF PUBLIC FANFARE.
I GOT SOME INSIGHT TO THE SYRIAN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
SOVIETS. HE DID NOT GIVE ME THE IMPRESSION THAT THERE HAS BEEN MUCH
CLOSE CONTACT BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO PREPARATIONS
FOR THE PEACE CONFERENCE AND HE SEEMED ANXIOUS TO HAVE DIRECT
CONTACT WITH US. HE SEEMS TO BE CONCERTING HIS POSITION CLOSELY
WITH SADAT. BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT THE SYRIANS WILL BE HARD TO DEAL
WITH.
470
RECLE
PSN 01083b PAGEL02D OF 02 TOR:350/18:22Z . DTGU161723Z DEC 73
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25X1
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/06/21 : LOC-HAK-259-1-34-6