92. Editorial Note

On June 12, 1974, President Nixon embarked on a tour of the Middle East, visiting Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, and Jordan. He flew to Cairo on June 12 and met with President Sadat on June 12, 13, and 14. On June 14, President Nixon and President Sadat signed an accord, “Principles of Relations and Cooperation Between Egypt and the United States,” that included agreement on establishment of the Joint Cooperation Commission and a U.S. promise to provide Egypt with nuclear technology that Egypt would use for peaceful purposes. (Public Papers: Nixon, 1974, pages 503–506) That same day, Nixon flew to Jidda, Saudi Arabia, and met with King Faisal. He continued his tour with a trip to Damascus on June 15. Nixon met with President Asad on June 16 at 10:30 a.m. in the Presidential Palace at Damascus. (Memorandum of conversation, June 16; Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, TS 42, Geopolitical File, Syria, November 1973–July 1976) Later that day, Nixon made a joint announcement with President Asad re-establishing relations between the United States and Syria. (Public Papers: Nixon, 1974, pages 515–516) That same day, he continued his Middle East trip with a two-day stop in Israel, the first time a U.S. President had visited Israel. President Nixon met with Prime Minister Rabin on June 16 at 4:50 p.m. at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem (Memorandum of conversation, June 16; National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 135, Country Files, Middle East, Dinitz, July 1–December 31, 1974) and on June 17 at 11 a.m. at the Knesset in Jerusalem. (Memorandum of conversation, June 17; ibid.) Also on June 17, Nixon held a private meeting with Rabin to discuss Israel’s long-term arms needs. (Ibid., Box 1029, Presidential/HAK Memcons, June 1–August 8, 1974, Folder 3) On June 17, Nixon continued on to Jordan and met with King Hussein on June 18 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the Palestinian situation and the West Bank. (Memorandum for the record, June 18; Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 4, June 18, 1974, Nixon, Jordan’s King Hussein) Nixon returned to the United States on June 19.