Office of the Historian

197. Letter From Yugoslav President Stambolic to President Reagan1

Belgrade, June 20, 1982
Dear Mr. President,

The Presidency of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been informed about the talk conducted by the Federal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Lazar Mojsov, with the Secretary of State, Alexander Haig, in New York on June 17.2 We consider this exchange of views highly useful.

The Presidency of the S.F.R. of Yugoslavia has attached special attention to that part of the talk which pertained to the situation in the Middle East, and in Lebanon in particular.

Having in mind the latest developments in Lebanon and the continuing great suffering of the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples, we consider that it is essential for all member countries of the United Nations which have the cause of peace and freedom at heart to take more energetic steps and to exert greater efforts aimed at halting the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. It is our deep belief that the United States can make a vital contribution to that end, which would encounter the most favorable response among public opinion in Yugoslavia and the world. Therefore, proceeding from the political and humanitarian aspects of this problem, we appeal to the government of the United States to do its utmost at this very difficult hour to put a stop to the further massacre of the Palestinian and the Lebanese peoples by Israel and to restore peace in the region.

We consider that in the search for a solution aimed at establishing lasting peace in the Middle East, it is essential to take into account the fact that the PLO is the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and a factor of stability in the region which should not be ignored. It is very important to secure the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon while simultaneously ensuring the rights of the Palestinian people. We are convinced that attempts to destroy the PLO would greatly aggravate the situation and impede the settlement of the crisis in the Middle East.

Mr. President,

We wish to stress in particular that Yugoslavia is very much concerned about the fate of the Palestinian people and eager to see a [Page 562] comprehensive and enduring solution reached to the precarious situation in the Middle East.

Please accept, Mr. President, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

Petar Stambolic (signed)3
  1. Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Head of State File: Yugoslavia: President Stambolic (8204338–8204859). No classification marking.↩
  2. A memorandum of conversation of this meeting was not found.↩
  3. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩