Office of the Historian

297. Backchannel Message From Secretary of State Kissinger to the Egyptian Presidential Adviser for National Security Affairs (Ismail)1

Washington, October 29, 1973.

Dr. Kissinger appreciates Mr. Ismail’s message of Sunday night, October 28.2

Whatever delays there may have been, Dr. Kissinger understands that the supply column for the 3rd Egyptian Army has now reached its destination. The question of the continued resupply of the 3rd Egyptian Army is a matter which is most appropriately discussed in the direct talks between the Egyptian and Israeli sides, and the US side does not think it should get into the particular means or other aspects, although we are always prepared to offer our good auspices on issues of difficulty.

Dr. Kissinger looks forward to Minister Fahmi’s visit to Washington to exchange views and hopes that this visit will mark a major step forward toward a just and permanent peace in the Middle East.

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 132, Country Files, Middle East, Egypt/Ismail, Vol. VII, October 1–31, 1973. No classification marking. A handwritten note on the message indicates that it was sent for delivery at 9:38 a.m.↩
  2. See footnote 2, Document 296.↩