Secretary Of State Henry Kissinger addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations during this first of seventeen days of debate and addresses on the current world situation.
Kissinger unveiled a new U.S. diplomatic initiative for a Middle East settlement based on an “informal” conference of Israel, the Arab states and other interested nations. Offered as a possible alternative to the dormant Geneva peace conference, Kissinger said in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly that it would provide a means for the parties “to assess conditions and to discuss the future.” At the same time, Kissinger said he stands ready to follow up his Sinai settlement between Israel and Egypt by promoting an interim agreement on the Golan Heights with Syria or even to reconvene the Geneva talks. Declaring “opportunities must be seized or they will disappear,” he emphasized that U.S. policy is geared to maintaining the momentum of Sinai. He assured the Soviet Union that “we do not attempt to exclude any country” and said the United States “will support whatever process seems most promising.” In the 49-minute speech Kissinger also: Proposed the convening of an international conference on the future of Korea to take up ways to preserve the 22-year old armistice on the troubled peninsula. Called on Turkish forces to pull back on Cyprus while saying the Turkish Cypriot minority must be guaranteed, “a large voice” over its own affairs as part of any settlement. Stressed U.S. opposition to South Africa’s continuing occupation of South-West Africa called Namibia by the – United Nations – as well as to the apartheid system of racial segregation. Proposed as a major step to slow nuclear proliferation that multinational nuclear fuel centers be set up to oversee reprocessing of atomic materials. Claimed the detente policy toward the Soviet Union now spares the world constant “chronic and bitter confrontations.” He said President Ford is committed to summitry and that his meeting with Soviet leader Leonid I. Brezhnev would strengthen big- power relations. U.S. officials said, however, that a date has not been set yet for Brezhnev’s visit to Washington. Kissinger was applauded perfunctorily at the conclusion and a number of delegates came forward to shake his hand. His parents and his wife, Nancy, watched the speech from a VIP gallery.
Afterward, Kissinger posed for photographs with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei A. Gromyko. Kissinger told the delegates that he already has taken up the idea of an informal Middle East meeting with Gromyko, presumably at their 3½- hour dinner Sunday night at the Soviet mission. U.S. officials said preliminary discussions also have been held with a number of countries. The informal forum could promote direct talks between Israel and the “confrontation” Arab states of Egypt, Syria and Jordan, or more likely indirect negotiations through the United States. It would| maintain a dominant role for Washington in guiding a settlement and provide a means of skirting the explosive Palestinian issue. U.S. and Israeli officials long have been concerned that the Geneva talks would break down over demands, principally by Syria, that the Palestine Liberation Organization be seated. Israel has vowed to boycott any conference including the terrorist group. Ultimately, Kissinger said, *the legitimate interest of the Palestinians” must be taken into account. However, in briefing newsmen, a top Kissinger aide said the PLO definitely would be excluded from the informal meeting. He also said no site has been designated.
Here is that complete address, along with a debate by delegates from Cyrus, United Kingdom, Turkey and Brazil.
