362. Backchannel Message From Secretary of State Kissinger to the Egyptian Presidential Adviser for National Security Affairs (Ismail)1
Secretary Kissinger has discussed with the Israeli Government the three points raised by Mr. Ismail in his message of November 23, 1973.2 The Israelis have made the following points:
[Page 1000]1) The Israeli Government is prepared to allow non-military supplies to pass to Kabrit.
2) The Government of Israel agrees to allow additional non-military items to pass to the city of Suez.
The Israeli Government has informed Secretary Kissinger that it is prepared to proceed as outlined in numbered paragraphs one and two above on condition that the Government of Egypt is prepared to release one Mr. Baruch Mizrachi.
As explained to the Secretary, Mr. Mizrachi was captured by the Yemeni some months ago and thereafter transferred to Egypt. The Secretary was also told that the Government of Egypt has agreed in principle to release Mr. Mizrachi but has indicated that in return the Egyptian Government expects the release of a number of Egyptians now held by the Israelis. According to the information provided by the Government of Israel, the Israelis have indicated to the Egyptians their willingness to accede to this request if the Government of Egypt will provide them a list of the names of those they desire released.
The Government of Israel has informed Secretary Kissinger that this commitment to release Egyptians now held by the Israelis continues in effect.
Thus, in summary, the Government of Israel has asked Secretary Kissinger to inform the Government of Egypt that it is prepared to take the steps outlined in numbered paragraphs one and two above, as well as to agree to the release of Egyptians now held by the Israelis (a list of these persons to be provided to the Government of Israel by the Government of Egypt) in return for the release of Mr. Baruch Mizrachi.
Secretary Kissinger suggests to Mr. Ismail that should this arrangement prove satisfactory to the Government of Egypt, details could most appropriately be worked out in the ongoing discussions between the Government of Egypt and the Government of Israel at Kilometer 101.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 132, Country Files, Middle East, Egypt/Ismail, Vol. VIII, November 1–December 31, 1973. Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. A note on the message indicates that it was sent for delivery at 10:44 a.m., with instructions to pass to Eilts who was to give it to Fahmi. Eilts should tell Fahmi this message was in reply to a letter from Ismail and that Kissinger would not initiate further contacts with Ismail.↩
- Not printed. (Ibid.)↩