Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXVII, Iran; Iraq, 1973–1976

253. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations¹

Washington, June 8, 1974, 2209Z.

121821. Subject: US-Iraqi Relations. Ref: USUN 2065.²

1. You should inform Ambassador El-Shibib that you have given Secretary full report of his conversation with you. Secretary has asked you to convey to the Ambassador his appreciation for this constructive contribution to their high-level dialogue. Secretary welcomes Iraqi readiness to continue this dialogue which he feels will be useful to the interests of both our countries. Secretary wants to reaffirm to the Ambassador everything that he said to him during their conversation at luncheon April 15. Secretary wants Ambassador to know that USG is prepared to entertain sympathetically any specific suggestions Government of Iraq may wish to convey to him. As Ambassador El-Shibib knows, Secretary will be travelling over next few weeks. When he returns from his travels around July 10, Secretary would like to invite Ambassador El-Shibib to Washington for a meeting, which can be arranged without publicity to maintain the secrecy of this dialogue if that continues to be the Ambassador’s desire.

2. You should also inform El-Shibib that Foreign Ministry in Baghdad has made guarded approach to our Interests Section there (para 3, Baghdad 338,³ which we are repeating to you) and that we plan make low-key reply emphasizing USG has no desire become involved in Kurdish problem and hopes it can be resolved peacefully, and stressing our intention to pursue our efforts to achieve peace in Middle East. You should assure El-Shabib that our reply to Foreign Ministry is general and non-committal and is in no way intended to cut across his dialogue with Secretary, which will be known only to most senior level of USG.⁴

Kissinger

1. Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL–154, Iraq, 10 March 1974–11 January 1977. Secret; Niact; Immediate; Nodis; Cherokee. Drafted by Atherton, cleared by Sisco, and approved by Kissinger.
2. Document 252.
3. Document 251.
4. In telegram 2112 from USUN, June 10, Scali advised Kissinger that he had conveyed the message to El-Shibib, who responded that he was certain his government would be interested in continuing a confidential high-level dialogue. El-Shibib noted that although he was being reassigned to Bonn, he would be available to come to Washington if designated as a representative. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL–154, Iraq, 10 March 1974–11 January 1977) In telegram 156821 to Bonn, July 19, Kissinger sent a message for El-Shibib that he was ready to receive whomever the Iraqi Government chose to send, noting that the talks could be confidential. (Ibid.)