 |
VOLUME 3: 1974-1977
|
|
| |
| |
213. Vance-Gromyko statement, Geneva, 21 May 1977.
Upon coming into office, the Carter administration decided to try and coordinate its Middle East efforts with the Soviet Union, on the premise that keeping the Soviet Union out of the picture could provoke the Soviet Union to try and persuade its friends in the Arab world to oppose any American sponsored moves. On 21 May Secretary Vance met Foreign Minister Gromyko and following is the Middle East section of their joint statement:
Gromyko and Vance also had a thorough exchange of views on the problem of the settlement in the Middle East.
Both sides proceed on the premise that elimination of the continuing source of tension in the Middle East constitutes one of the primary tasks in ensuring peace and international security. They are convinced that in achieving this goal an important role belongs to the Geneva Peace Conference on the Middle East. Having confirmed that mutual efforts of the USSR and the USA, who are co-chairmen of the Geneva Conference, are of substantial importance for achieving a just, durable and stable peace in the Middle East the sides agreed to direct their joint efforts towards resuming the work of the conference during the fall of 1977, while recognizing the importance of careful preparation before the conference meets. For these purposes the USA and the USSR will be conducting monthly consultations at the level of ambassadors in Washington or Moscow. They agreed too that they will be working in this direction also in their contacts with the parties immediately involved in the Middle East conflict.
|
|
| |