164. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Kissinger and the Minister of the Israeli Embassy (Shalev)1
K: I wanted to check your message to Eagleburger.
S: Yes.
K: Does that mean we can move any time? Because so far we have been delaying.
S: That means that the latest proposal you made us about time table which would sort of bring us up to tomorrow evening I thought.
K: Is that what you accept.
S: We accept that. We are not urging you for any further . . .
K: Good. That is the course on which I will stay. Thank you. I have some information for you.
S: Yes.
K: We have information that the Soviets have mobilized three airborne divisions and when I called this to the attention of the Soviet Ambassador he made some extremely threatening noises. I told him we would not tolerate it.
S: Yes sir.
K: I wanted you to be aware of this development. If they intervene we will be forced to do something drastic. But you should know it. He also wants you to know they are against your getting close to Damascus. I am just passing this on to you for information. If you want to pass anything on to me for them I will do it. I told him it would lead to severe deterioration of relations with us and we would take action if they put in combat units.
S: Let me get that.
K: Look, I have to run to see the President, now.
S: Bye.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Kissinger Telephone Conversations, Transcripts (Telcons), Chronological File, Box 23. No classification marking.↩