178. Message From Soviet General Secretary Brezhnev to President Reagan1
His Excellency Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America
I deem it essential to turn to you in connection with the very dangerous situation in Lebanon and its vicinity.2 Israel is continuing large scale aggression against a sovereign country, a member of the UN. Blood is being shed, thousands of people are tragically perishing, the peaceful population of the country—Lebanese, Palestinians—are experiencing unbelievable suffering.
In essence, Israel is pursuing a regular war against Lebanon. Israel began this war with an act unprecedented in its impudence and contempt for the norms of the international community: its troops have crossed the lines of the armed forces of the UN, by this act demonstratively trampling the flag of this organization. Israel continues and intensifies its aggression, despite the unanimously adopted resolution of the Security Council demanding the termination of military actions and the immediate and unconditional removal of Israeli troops from the territory of Lebanon.
In this manner there has been created an intolerable and most dangerous situation.
The Israeli assault places in doubt the fate of Lebanon as an independent and unitary state. The actions of Israel which directly threaten the security of other Arab states are pregnant with (the possibility) of a further spread of the crisis situation, the broadening of the military conflict and the involvement in it of other countries. This is a fact which no one can escape.
The situation which has arisen in this region demands the adoption without delay of measures to carry into practice the resolution of the Security Council. It is the duty of states, and, above all, of the permanent members of the Security Council, effectively to apply themselves to this task. Israel must know that it cannot count on anyone’s tolerance and support.
[Page 575]I turn to you Mr. President in view of the well-known fact that the United States has at its disposal major possibilities of influencing Israel. This, of course, places on the United States a particular responsibility for the termination of aggression against Lebanon and the removal of Israeli troops from its territory.
In connection with the events in Lebanon and its vicinity I must state: The Soviet Union watches with utmost attention developments of the situation in this region which is located in the immediate proximity of our southern borders and where we have no shortage of friends. You will understand me correctly, Mr. President, if you proceed on the assumption that the Soviet Union will act in accordance with this and be guided by the interests of Soviet and international security.
It cannot be denied that unless the war of Israel against Lebanon and the UN is immediately stopped the consequences may prove unpredictable. We expect the United States to undertake active steps to have Israel without delay stop its aggression and fulfill the decision of the Security Council.
- Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC: Head of State File, USSR: General Secretary Brezhnev (8290378, 8290381). Top Secret. An unknown hand wrote at the top of the message: “Translation by Richard Pipes.” Moscow transmitted the letter to Washington between 0402 and 0416 EDT. (MOLINK Message Chronology, June 9; ibid.)↩
- On June 6, Israeli troops invaded Lebanon.↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩