Moscow, April 24: The Soviet Union yesterday offered its backing for the “strictest guarantees of Israel’s existence and independence” — if it was prepared to withdraw from occupied Arab territories. The pledge, made by the Foreign Minister, Mr. Andrel Gromyko, at a Kremlin dinner in honour of the visiting Syrian Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdel-Khalim Khaddam, was seen as the strongest Soviet promise yet to preserve the Jewish State.
Mr. Gromyko also re-affirmed his Government’s support for a reconvened Geneva peace conference, but urged thorough preparation so that the forum should not become as empty “fanfaronade.”
If Israel’s leaders wanted to ensure the peaceful development of their country, they simply had to abandon plans to annex other people’s territories, the Foreign Minister declared.
“Israel may get, if it wishes so, the strictest guarantees with the participation — under an appropriate agreement — of the Soviet Union,” he said. “These guarantees would ensure peaceful conditions for the existence and development of all States in the Middle East,” Mr. Gromyko said.
Published – April 25, 2025 05:50 am IST