244. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Kissinger and the Minister of the Soviet Embassy (Vorontsov)1

V: Yes, Henry.

K: Yuri, I will let you know within half an hour, 45 minutes, but it must be where at the line established when the ceasefire went into effect.

V: It’s firm now.

K: It’s not yet firm but only one we’re now considering.

V: Went into effect. Right, I’ve got it.

K: On the other one, now, there’s only one other point we have, which I know is no problem—where you say you think for that purpose, first of all, the personnel of the United Nations which is at present in Cairo.

V: Right.

K: What we would like to say is “using for that purpose UN personnel now in the Middle East but first of all—

V: Now in the Middle East.

K: And first of all—

V: By this line, you mean—

K: The ones that are in Jerusalem, for example.

V: Uh-huh. Not Syrian situation you have in mind?

K: No.

V: Since we are talking about Egypt and—

K: No, no. What we have in mind is the Egyptian situation.

V: Yeah.

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K: It applies specifically only to Egypt.

V: Yeah, I see. So you mean from that line, from the Israeli side, yes, to engage—

K: Just to have more personnel available.

V: Yeah, all the personnel available there. First of all which is in Cairo. Well, I don’t think there will be any problem here. But, Henry, there is a problem about postponement. Scali suggested to Malik 3 o’clock. It’s terrible of course.

K: No, no; I have just instructed that they should start the meeting and delay the vote.

V: Yeah. Okay.

K: Okay?

V: Yeah, it’s okay so far as I’m concerned. I don’t have time to consult with the government in Moscow, you understand.

K: But tell Malik what I suggested.

V: I’ll tell Malik. I’m just contacting him now.

K: Good. Thank you.

V: Okay.

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversations, Transcripts (Telcons), Chronological File, Anatoli[y] Dobrynin File, Box 28. No classification marking.