...REPORT ON MOSCOW VISIT, p. 1

...ISRAELI RAID IN LEBANON, p. 11

KISSINGER TRIP: PRESS CONFERENCE

Summary

Foreign media gave extensive coverage to Henry Kissinger's Saturday press conference on his return from Moscow and stopover visits to London and Paris.

Comment, almost entirely in Western Europe, emphasized his remarks on strengthening the Atlantic Alliance.

For example, the London Sunday Telegraph said that although improvement in Soviet-American relations "will inevitably create strains...Dr. Kissinger said that Mr. Nixon had stressed to him that...even more progress must be made in strengthening relations with Western Europe."

The Stuttgarter Zeitung said Mr. Kissinger had indicated that in U.S. eyes Europe is the "cornerstone of the entire peace structure."

While reporting that Mr. Kissinger had not been in a position "to report much hope from his Vietnam peace negotiations" (Times of London), many observers saw indications of progress in secret talks. These were examples:

--Figaro of Paris said, "Mr. Kissinger did not reject the latest proposal from the PRG for a tripartite government in Saigon in terms as categorical as those used by Mr. Porter on Thursday."

--Corriere della Sera of Milan commented, "It is still difficult to foresee and evaluate the specific weight of the 'Soviet pressure on Hanoi,' but it is clear that despite the requisite formal denials it is a card Nixon still considers to be playable."

Moscow TASS's Washington correspondent noted that Mr. Kissinger's press conference was "devoted mainly to his conversations in Moscow."

* * *

No. 112

1

9/18/72

London: "Not Much Hope on Vietnam"

Mr. Kissinger's European trip and his Saturday press conference received
wide play in British media during the weekend and today. There was
relatively little comment.

A Washington correspondent wrote in the independent London *Times* this morning that Mr. Kissinger's disclosure that"his discussions in Russia and West Europe would lead to new Soviet and American initiatives in European policy... contrasted sharply with his inability... to report much hope from his Vietnam peace negotiations."

"Kissinger Stressed Alliance"

The conservative London *Daily Telegraph* carried a Washington dispatch noting that President Nixon plans "a round of summit meetings" with West European leaders after his re-election because he "wants to emphasize that in his pursuit of East-West detente he feels that Atlantic ties should be strengthened rather than the reverse, but on a more equal basis of partnership than before." The paper said that at his press conference "Dr. Kissinger was clearly anxious to emphasize that the thaw in relations between Russia and America did not indicate any weakening of American resolve to stand by the NATO alliance."

The paper ran an editorial on Saturday reminding readers that "Kissinger's journeys must always be taken seriously. He has achieved a unique status as Mr. Nixon's single-handed 'fixer' and international man of affairs." Surmising that the CES and "the linked question of balanced force reductions in Europe will have figured high on the agenda in Moscow," the paper asserted:

"The American position, supported in greater or lesser degree by the other NATO members, is that talks on balanced force reductions must be conducted 'in parallel' with any preliminary discussions on a security conference. Russia wants them completely separated one from another, the Russian guess being that political pressures in America will eventually bring about American force reductions in Europe whether they are 'balanced' by Russian withdrawals or not. Britain should lend every support to the American line on this."

No. 112

2

9/18/72

The paper judged that despite recent South Vietnamese military successes, "it would probably be wrong to assume that North Vietnam is yet ready to put forward serious terms for a cease-fire. The assumption is still that it will launch a new offensive before the American election. Dr. Kissinger has no doubt explained to Le Duc Tho in Paris "the emptiness of any hopes that such an offensive will be successful."

## "U. S. - USSR Relations Will Strain Alliance"

The sister Sunday Telegraph got the impression from Mr. Kissinger's news conference that "the cold war is about to be buried finally in a deluge of agreements." Its Washington correspondent remarked that "the only cloud consists of possibly adverse Western European reactions to rapid American expansion in a market where the West Germans in particular are comfortably installed.

"Moreover, the fact of Russian-American relations improving in such a dramatic rush will inevitably create strains in an alliance forged to deal with Communist military threats.

"Dr. Kissinger said that Mr. Nixon had stressed to him that, however much progress was made in relations with the Communist powers, even more progress must be made in strengthening relations with Western Europe."

The independent London Financial Times said today that the message Mr. Kissinger brought back from his trip was that "prospects appear brighter for starting negotiations later this year on reducing both Russian and American troop levels in Europe." It remarked, on the other hand, that at his press conference "Dr. Kissinger did not throw any really new light on the prospects for a negotiated settlement" in Vietnam "before the American elections."

## Allied Skepticism

A story from Brussels in the liberal Guardian of Manchester and London on Saturday expressed the view that "the NATO allies will almost certainly agree to start East-West preparations for a European security conference on November 22 in Helsinki as a result of the deal worked out between Dr. Kissinger and

No. 112

3

9/18/72

Soviet leaders in Moscow... Sources here say that Dr. Kissinger was able to extract a commitment from the Soviet Union to discuss negotiations on troop cuts in Central Europe by the end of next January....

"Sources pointed out that the U. S. holds still another good card: if the Soviet Union failed to discuss troop levels by the end of January, Washington could then persuade its allies to break off talks on a security conference. Other officials were more skeptical: once preparatory talks on a security conference had started, they argued, it would be extremely difficult to break them off....

"European allies remained suspicious that the U. S. would still prefer to discuss troop cuts on a bilateral, super-power basis with the Russians."

## Paris TV: "The Indispensable Man"

Mr. Kissinger's news conference was reported by French media with little comment. His call on President Pompidou and his meeting with Le Duc Tho and Xuan Thuy led Friday evening television newscasts.

The first network of state-run French TV saw him as a kind of Pimpernel: "He is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. He is in London when believed to be in Moscow, and in Paris when he is supposed to be in London." The network also ran a feature on Mr. Kissinger made up in part of old film clips and including an interview in which he expressed his view of diplomacy. Concluding a review of his career, the narrator said that "as a European transplanted to the U. S., his vision of foreign policy combines German will power, French subtlety and American energy, making him an indispensable man."

A commentator on the second network said that "his extreme discretion about his meeting with Le Duc Tho shows that peace in Vietnam will not be announced today."

No. 112

4

9/18/72

# "New Step Toward Peace?"

Regarding the meeting with Le Duc Tho, moderate-left France-Soir asserted that "it is known only that the North Vietnamese reviewed for their visitor the statement made a few days earlier by the PRG on the central political problem of South Vietnam..."

"It looks as if the North Vietnamese hinted to Mr. Kissinger that they no longer link the political and military problems so closely as in the past...."

"Mr. Kissinger's reaction is not known, but a new step toward peace may have been taken in Paris."

# "Kissinger Milder on Coalition"

Noting widespread speculation on the state of the secret Paris negotiations, moderately conservative Figaro said that "the most surprising speculation is coming from Hanoi: it suggests that the North and the PRG might come to terms with President Thieu."

The paper remarked that "in his press conference Mr. Kissinger did not reject the latest proposal from the PRG for a tripartite government in Saigon in terms as categorical as those used by Mr. Porter on Thursday." Recalling statements by President Nixon and Secretary Rogers to the effect that development of economic relations between the U. S. and the USSR depended on increased cooperation on Moscow's part in settling major international questions, and noting that "the two big powers are about to conclude an accord for economic cooperation involving huge exchanges of goods and capital," the paper said that "the optimists in Washington do not hesitate to infer that President Nixon has at least obtained the cooperation of the Soviet Union in his quest for an honorable withdrawal from the war in Vietnam."

# Milan: "A Delicate Phase on Vietnam"

Mr. Kissinger's press conference was an inside-page story in the Italian press yesterday and today.

No. 112

5

9/18/72

Independent-conservative *Corriere della Sera* of Milan commented yesterday that the quality of reserve in Mr. Kissinger's statement left "uncertainties on where the Paris negotiations stand," and that this was "in line with White House instructions.

"The impression of well-informed sources in Washington is that a very delicate phase has just been entered.... Hanoi has not yet decided between the two possible alternatives, i.e. a diplomatic compromise or a relaunching of the military offensive in order to embarrass Nixon on the eve of the November election....

Independent *Il Messaggero* in Rome said yesterday that "Kissinger' mission was successful on trade relations, CES, MBFR and SALT...but failed to settle the Vietnam issue."

Conservative *Il Resto del Carlino* of Bologna wrote on Saturday: "There is widespread opinion in Washington that the USSR needs U.S. cooperation... in order to counterbalance the repercussions of its serious economic crisis."

Socialist *Avanti* of Rome said in its discussion of the press conference that "Hanoi is not about to abandon its peace conditions just to make the Soviets happy."

## Frankfurt: "Great Progress"

Major West German newspapers today ran reports of Mr. Kissinger's news conference stressing his remarks on Soviet views regarding the relationship between CES and MBFR.

The independent conservative *Frankfurter Allgemeine* reported today that Mr. Kissinger had achieved "great progress" in his discussions with Moscow.

No. 112

6

9/18/72

Independent *Stuttgarter Zeitung* predicted a Nixon visit to Europe next spring to seek a "new basis for Atlantic partnership." The paper said Mr. Kissinger had indicated that in U.S. eyes Europe is the "cornerstone of the entire peace structure."

## West Berlin: "Resolved Leftover Problems"

Independent *Tagesspiegel* of West Berlin said the Kissinger trip was "important" even if its only result was that he "resolved unsettled questions left over from Nixon's trip to Moscow. He was obviously able to achieve an understanding on the prerequisites for a generous American-Soviet trade treaty.

> "Although financially such a trade treaty is more important for the Soviet Union than for the U.S., there is mutual interest in such a treaty because both super-powers want to strengthen their positions vis-a-vis the growing European Common Market."

Both West German TV networks yesterday showed film clips of Mr. Kissinger's Paris stopover. The Paris correspondent of the first network reported that his talks with the North Vietnamese had been "unsuccessful."

## Vienna: "Europe Only a Stopover?"

The independent *Kurier* of Vienna remarked Saturday:

> "The Soviets evidently want to confront a stronger China not only with divisions but also with increased economic power and... with an American and European investment in the Soviet Union... This opens up new dimensions in world economy and political affairs.

> "Europe is directly affected but this continent will only have a say if it strengthens its own institutions and speaks with one voice. Otherwise, the Kissingers will continue to travel to Moscow and Peking and only make stopovers in Bonn, London and Paris."

No. 112

7

9/18/72

People's Party <u>Volksblatt</u> of Linz commented this morning:

"The European NATO countries would do well to watch the Soviet-American contacts closely and despite the Kissinger talks send an exploratory group of their own to Moscow. In its relations with the Soviets, Washington undoubtedly has its own problems which carry much more weight for America than the question of European security.... We doubt if such a linking of interests is altogether good for European affairs. The still distant security conference will show to what extent the big powers dare use Europe as a pawn in their interests. The conference will also show how much Europe will take lying down."

## Tokyo Treatment

Independent-moderate <u>Mainichi</u> of Tokyo stated that Mr. Kissinger had reported "major progress in U. S. -Soviet relations." As to the Viet Cong proposal, the paper said he "took a cautious approach" and had observed that "the real question is the result of the proposal and not its contents."

Independent-moderate <u>Yomiuri</u> of Tokyo declared:

"Now is a good time to seek a political solution of the Vietnam problem since the U. S. Presidential election is approaching... The Vietnam negotiations have entered a new stage and we hope the U. S. will take a reasonable and flexible attitude."

## Karachi: "A Model for Small Nations"

The <u>Morning News</u> of Karachi said on Friday in regard to Mr. Kissinger's trip:

"The 'balance of prudence' among the three big powers should provide the smaller nations with a new sense of direction in their mutual relations. After all, if the big powers can sink ideological differences in their national interest, there cannot be any reason for smaller nations to fight among themselves on any ground, ideological or otherwise."

No. 112

8

9/18/72

Santiago: "Marco Polo, Magellan"

Independent-conservative *El Mercurio* of Santiago commented last week:

"Kissinger is a combination of Marco Polo, Magellan and Cook. He hops around the world, flies to Moscow and in the Kremlin analyzes with the Soviet hierarchy the question of Vietnam, commercial problems and arms limitation agreements. This is the triumph of ping-pong diplomacy and of 'jet' agreements."

## Moscow on Kissinger Remarks

Moscow TASS yesterday carried the report of its Washington correspondent that Mr. Kissinger's press conference was "devoted mainly to his conversations in Moscow." He noted that Mr. Kissinger said "very important progress" had been made on the most-favored-nation, lend-lease and trade agreement issues. His report continued:

"H. Kissinger said they discussed in Moscow the question of an all-European conference on security and cooperation. He recalled that, according to the well-known position of the USSR, a preparatory meeting on European security questions should be held towards the end of this year and that the USSR never agreed, as an official concept, with the U. S. stand which insists there must be a certain relationship between such a conference and a conference on the mutual and balanced reduction of armed forces."

The correspondent said Mr. Kissinger "stressed his belief that there are good prospects for the second round" of the SALT talks, but on the Vietnam issue he said "it is clear that the Soviet Union stands for definite principles in its international affairs and that its views on Vietnam differ from those of the U. S."

## "Need for Improved Relations..."

Three Moscow commentaries over the weekend on the Kissinger visit referred to one of the documents of the Moscow summit meeting last May, "The Basis of Relations between the USSR and the U. S.," as stressing the importance of the principle of peaceful coexistence.

No. 112

9

9/18/72

One of these, a commentary in *New Times* magazine broadcast to the U. S., said that the Kissinger-Brezhnev discussion of European security was "natural" because "developments ever since World War II have shown that tensions in Europe always affect the whole world adversely and, to put it the other way round, progress in European politics improves the whole international atmosphere." Referring to a State Department statement that the U. S. and its allies were ready to negotiate in Helsinki in a conference with the Soviet Union and its allies on European security and cooperation, and to Mr. Kissinger's discussions with Mr. Brezhnev, the commentary concluded the U. S. and the USSR "have plenty of elements in common in their attitude to the European conference and to its purposes and goals. The intensive dialogue begun in Europe between the East and the West, alongside the developing cooperation between the USSR and the U. S., must be continued for the sake of all nations and of stronger international security."

On Saturday, Moscow Radio broadcast the text of an article by Valentin Berezhkov, editor of Moscow's USA magazine, on the Brezhnev-Kissinger discussions. The article stated: "Reports of the Brezhnev-Kissinger talks state that substantial results have already been obtained in implementing the bilateral agreements since last May. The two sides also concurred that further progress may be expected. The two countries naturally differ most emphatically on many key problems, Indochina, for example, where the continuing war and the savage bombings of the DRV provoke anger and indignation in the USSR. Our approach to Middle East events also differs...

"The gap between the American and Soviet positions on a number of concrete matters has definitely grown smaller of late. That undoubtedly indicates that the U. S. has adopted a more realistic approach to them. Probably the most important are the agreement already obtained on limiting strategic weapons and the expressed intention of continuing negotiations on this issue." The article also noted the State Department statement on a Helsinki conference on European security and concluded that the principles of coexistence "are the only basis on which to conduct relations between the socialist and the capitalist countries in this day and age."

"...Not at the Expense of Others"

A commentary in Portuguese to Brazil Saturday on coexistence said the Brezhnev-Kissinger talks were "sincere and constructive" and concluded "the

No. 112

10

9/18/72

USSR believes an improvement of relations with the U. S. is necessary.
Nevertheless, this should not be at the expense of other countries."

Xuan Thuy Statement

Agence France-Presse reported Saturday from Paris that DRV chief negotiator Xuan Thuy told journalists after his meeting with Mr. Kissinger that the "U. S. point of view on the political and military question is still far from our point of view." Refusing to divulge the content of the talks, Mr. Thuy added that the U. S. "is not willing to accept a tripartite government in South Vietnam and still supports President Nguyen Van Thieu." Questioned on "optimistic" U. S. statements that the war could end before or shortly after the American election, Mr. Thuy was reported as replying, "We do not see any signs indicating the war is about to end. The air-naval war continues to be intensified." He added he could see "no softening" of the U. S. position at the present.

The Viet Cong radio said on Saturday:

"Everyone knows Thieu is a monster of the Nixon Doctrine, a lackey in the service of the Vietnamization policy."

ISRAELI RAID IN LEBANON

Summary

The weekend attack by Israeli forces on Arab guerrilla bases in Lebanon received prominent news treatment in several capitals.

In sparse comment, the London Sunday *Observer* warned that the action could
"boomerang against the Jewish state."

A contributor to *Figaro* of Paris said Israel was "feeling its strength" in a period
following the "decline of Soviet influence in Egypt" and preceding the U. S. elections.

Moscow TASS reported that the Soviet Government "strongly condemned" the raids
and said Israel had been encouraged by "certain circles in the West."

* * *

No. 112

11

9/18/62

London: "Israel's Revenge"

These were British headlines:

"TANKS, PLANES TAKE ISRAEL'S REVENGE"
(Conservative London Sunday Express)

"ISRAEL HITS FATAH BASES"
(Independent London Observer)

The latter paper reported from Jerusalem that "it was much more than retaliation for the Munich murders. The Israelis apparently feel that guerrilla activity in the Middle East and abroad has again reached such a pitch that only a major flushing-out operation will suffice. The Israeli message is that if the Arabs want war they can have it."

"Undermines Israel's Moral Standing"

In an editorial the paper warned that Israel's action might "boomerang." It asserted:

"Neither reprisal attacks against Fatah guerrilla camps (with the inevitable loss of innocent lives as well as of guerrillas), nor the suggestion put forward by some prominent Israelis that Israel might have to engage in attacks against Black September leaders abroad, are likely to achieve the desired objective of putting an end to their terrorism.

"These methods can result only in undermining Israel's moral standing and, if her Government were to license its own assassins, would bring Israel down to the level of the terrorists. No friend of Israel should silently acquiesce in, or publicly condone, a course of action that is not only negative but likely to boomerang against the Jewish state."

The paper argued that Israel "is fully justified in demanding vigorous international action to deny support for the terrorist extremists of the Arab guerrilla movement. Her Government is right, too, in feeling aggrieved that Britain

No. 112

12

9/18/72

and other countries left it to the Americans alone to veto the one-sided
resolution presented to the Security Council that sought to deplore the
reprisals without in any way referring to the events at Munich that had
led to these attacks."

It concluded that "we should not lose sight of the single reality that the
only way of effectively rooting out terrorism is through a negotiated peace
settlement in the Middle East."

The conservative *Sunday Telegraph*, reporting that the Black September movement planned to set up a London base and that Britain was tightening security precautions, carried the observation of its diplomatic correspondent that "Israel has made clear to Britain its deep concern over present diplomatic overtures from London to Cairo. The view being taken in Jerusalem is that relations between Britain and Israel could soon reach a 'critical' stage as a result."

### Paris: "Israel Feeling Its Strength"

Academician Thierry Maulnier wrote in today's moderately conservative *Figaro* of Paris:

> "Israel is currently feeling its strength because the U.S., even if tempted to adopt an attitude less committed to the Jewish state because of the decline of Soviet influence in Egypt, could not afford to do so a few weeks before the Presidential elections. The few million Jewish voters are now the decisive element in the situation."

### "Had U.S. Blessing"

A correspondent in Israel reported in today's moderate-right *Aurore* of Paris that the operation into Lebanon "in all likelihood had at least the tacit blessing of the U.S., which saw no objection to an action intended not only to reduce the guerrillas' potential in the field but also to boost the authority of the Lebanese Government at home, with a view to a Jordan-like operation aimed at bringing the extremists to heel."

No. 112

13

9/18/72

## Communist Paper: "U.S. Was Kept Informed"

Communist Humanite of Paris commented today:

> "An authorized source in Jerusalem specified that the U.S. had been kept informed of the situation minute by minute, and that Washington did not raise any objection at any time.... This attitude should be enough to remind us of the nefarious role played by American imperialism, in the Middle East and elsewhere."

## West German Headlines

The Middle East situation was the top story in West German newspapers today. Typical headlines were "Israel Calls Action Complete Success," "Lebanon Confronts Palestinian Guerrillas With Ultimatum," "Lebanese Army Takes Action Against Fedayeen" and "Will Israel Attack Syria Now?"

## Kuala Lumpur: "Matching Violence With Violence"

The conservative Straits Times of Kuala Lumpur said today:

> "The Lebanese army's ultimatum to Palestinian commandos demanding they evacuate Lebanese villages removes all pre-text for the Israeli invasion. The Lebanese Government can scarcely go further...

> "Diplomatic initiative outside the U.N. may restrain further Israeli action in revenge for Munich or on any pre-text. Planned or not, the Israeli Government has seemed bent on matching violence with worse violence until all possibility of peace is submerged by war."

## Beirut Treatment

Beirut papers today bannered the withdrawal of Israeli forces and ran pictures of withdrawing vehicles, destroyed houses and civilian victims. Premier Salam's statement that "no ultimatum was served on the commandos to withdraw from southern Lebanon villages" was widely noted, as were reports by Syrian newspapers that an Israeli attack on Syria was thought likely.

No. 112

14

9/18/72

## Demand That Lebanon Break With U.S.

Virtually all leftist and most independent papers stressed the statement issued in Beirut yesterday by the Lebanese "Nationalist and Progressive Forces," demanding that Lebanon sever diplomatic relations with the U.S. "on grounds it incited Israeli aggression and associated itself with it." The statement alleged the U.S. veto in the Security Council gave Israel a "green light" to attack Lebanon.

Most papers hailed the courage and performance of Lebanon's army in its confrontation with Israeli forces.

Leftist pro-Cairo al-Muharrir declared:

> "Now that the Lebanese army has foiled the Israeli attack, the enemy should not be allowed to succeed politically through Lebanese-commando confrontation."

Leftist pro-Cairo ash-Shaab said that "our triumph will be complete only if our national unity remains secure." It added:

> "Premier Salam said Lebanon will not clash with the commandos. He should be held responsible for putting these words into effect."

### Cairo: Heykel Proposal

Editor Muhammed Heykel of al-Ahram of Cairo called yesterday for "an urgent Arab summit conference to face the Israeli aggression against Lebanon and the Resistance," Cairo's Middle East News Agency reported.

### Tel Aviv: "Lebanon Now Knows the Alternatives"

Israeli papers today argued that the operation was not sufficient to "close the account." Political writers contended that the U.S. neither protested nor demanded the cessation of the Israeli action.

No. 112

15

9/18/72