CONGRESSIONAL TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-272-2-3-4
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: January 3, 2011
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: January 10, 1974
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/01/03: LOC-HAK-272-2-3-4
MEMORANDUM 41
SECRET /NODIS /XGDS
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, Secretary of State
and Assistant to the President for National
Security Affairs
Senator Dewey F. Bartlett (Oklahoma)
Senator Paul J. Fannin (Arizona)
Senator Clifford P. Hansen (Wyoming)
William Timmons, Assistant to the President for
Congressional Affairs
Brent Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs
David Stang, Staff
Harrison Loesch, Staff
MAY CONTAIN CONGRESSIONAL
MATERIAL
January 10, 1974
PLACE: Secretary's Office
Department of State
SUBJECT: Congressional Trip to the Middle East
Kissinger: On Iran. They are supportive and a good friend. We are
unhappy about the price rise. You could say it might produce a reaction
in which they would be hit.
I have seen innumerable groups on the Middle East. The Arabs
are very attractive and even have a good case.
Originally, we can't compete with Europe and Japan, we can't
commit the Israelis that fast. The Arabs know we are the only ones
who can deliver.
Faisal has a standard speech -- Palestine and Jerusalem. It's
a good speech but can't be done quickly.
CLASSIFIED BY HENRY A. KISSINGER
I?XI:\11"F FROM GENERAL DECLASSIFICATION
SCUT? DUCE OF? EXECUTIVE ORDER 1!6cz
EXI?1N11'I'ION CATEGORY 5 (b) (1, 3)
SECRET/NODIS/XGDS AUTOMATICALLY DECLASSIFIED ONImp. to
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/01/03: LOC-HAK-272-2-3-4
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/01/03: LOC-HAK-272-2-3-4
SECRET /NODIS /XGDS
Take Israel. The Government has to have the Religious Party
in the coalition. The easy part is Sinai and the hard part is the other
.parts. What the Arabs have to hear is we are breaking our backs.
The danger is the people are going there blaming the people back in
Washington. We will go back and tell them how things really are.
We must tell them what is really true -- everything which the
Arabs have got has been through us. No one else can deliver.
I don't agree with their point of view. What they must know is
we are doing our best, but we can't continue to do it under blackmail.
What is undoable now is progress in Palestine and Jerusalem --
especially Jerusalem. It may be in a year or 18 months. I told Faisal
we promise less but we deliver what we promise. Right now I can't
promise on Jerusalem. What confuses him is people who tell him he
is right and they will go back to convince the dopes in Washington.
Stang: What say about refugees and upcoming conference?
Kissinger We say rights of the Palestinian refugees must be taken
into account. What that means is unclear. There are several factions
among the Palestinians. We are not anti-Palestinian, but we think it's
premature to get them involved right now.
I always tell the Arabs the truth -- what is totally possible,
rather than contribute to their tendency toward euphoria. What they
must realize is that OPEC is perpetrating an economic revolution. They
will wipe out the balance of payments surpluses of the industrialized
world -- except us. We will benefit relatively. Economic aid will be
wiped out. The underdeveloped countries will have deficit of $29 billion.
Our aid bill will increase $10 billion. The OPEC countries will have
surplus of $65 billion in one year. They can't expect they can change
the world economy without any thought or discussion.
The purpose of the Energy Conference is to define the nature of
the pxoblem and discuss a number of areas -- conservation, new sources,
the impact on the economy, and to prepare for a meeting with the
producers. If OPEC produces a recession, they will have nothing to buy
or their currency will be depreciated. They can produce an economic
crisis. Last year, a $4 billion shift produced the run on the dollar.
That they didn't even intend. Now suppose they adopt a strategy of
drawing $10 billion one day. They can break the dollar.
SECRET /NODIS /XGDS
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/01/03: LOC-HAK-272-2-3-4
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/01/03: LOC-HAK-272-2-3-4
SECRET/NODIS /XGDS
Fannin: How about food and trade problems and boycotts?
Kissinger: I wouldn't be specific, but you could say we couldn't
continue to let this go on. They really are afraid of the CIA -- they
overestimate its capability! We couldn't bring it off. But don't look
soft and pleading -- we can't leave the world at the mercy of 20
million Bedouins. We are a great country. They simply happen to
have scarce resources.
Fannin: They have to be told we have alternatives.
Kissinger: Tell them we have been evenhanded. Everything that has
been done has been done by us.
Will you see Sadat? I will recommend it. But if you tell him,
remember that Arabs are great talkers and leakers. Their administra-
tion is idiotic; it will be disastrous. If you say we can't continue to
help if the American people are suffering as a result of oil blackmail.
Stang: What do we say about American suffering?
Kissin.ger: If we have to explain that the American people's hardships
are being caused by blackmail... .
You could tell Sadat I think he is a great statesman.
Bartlett: We have to tell them that both sides must make concessions.
Neither side can win totally.
Kissinger: That is right. I think there is no chance of a return to the
'67 borders. I don't tell the Arabs that -- I am worried about the first
50 miles. I wouldn't discuss a final settlement.
SECRET /NODIS /XGDS
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2011/01/03: LOC-HAK-272-2-3-4