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RECORDING OF THE CONVERSATION OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE USSR V.A. ZORINA WITH EGYPT'S MISSION TO THE USSR BINDARI-PASHA

5 August 1948

Secret

Today at 14.00 he received Bindari Pasha at his request. After exchanging the usual greetings, Bindari said that the Egyptian government had received a message from one source that 6 Sturmovyu bombers and 2 squadrons of fighter-bombers had arrived in Durazzo, Albania. These planes are piloted by Jewish pilots and intended for the Jewish Zionist government in Palestine. The Egyptian government instructed him to find out if this message was true. “Personally,” Bindari added, “I do not believe in such reports, for such facts would contradict the friendship between the USSR and Egypt and would violate the agreement on the armistice in Palestine. However, I must fulfill the instructions of my government and inform him of the answer of the Soviet government,>.

I said that I was very surprised by the messenger's message and did not understand what relation we have to Durazzo, which is located outside the territory of the USSR.

Then Bindari said that, according to information received by the Egyptian government, these aircraft are allegedly Soviet.

I replied that although every message requires verification, in this case it is quite clear that the message that the messenger is talking about is clearly not true. I added that I was even more surprised by the very formulation of this question, for everyone knows that Soviet policy is a policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries. Therefore, I resolutely reject such a formulation of the question, as it does not correspond to the policy of the USSR, which is well known to the Egyptian government. I added that the statement of the Egyptian government was obviously inspired from the outside, for I do not think that Egypt, knowing Soviet policy, could make such a judgment on its own. I can only regret that the Egyptian government believes such reports.

Bindari replied that this information was indeed obtained from a foreign source. The Egyptian government was quite surprised by this report and wanted to find out. “Now,” Bindari added, “I can, to my great pleasure, inform my government that this message is wrong and that the policy of the Soviet Union on the Palestinian question remains unchanged.”

I noticed in this connection that the policy of the USSR on the Palestinian question was always clear and quite clearly expressed by the representatives of the USSR in the Security Council and at the sessions of the UN General Assembly. This is well known to the Egyptian government. If the Egyptian government itself carries out the correct policy on the Palestinian issue and does not listen to all false reports, it will benefit peace in the area.

Now there is a lot of fuss about the Palestinian question, and there are some circles that want to rake in the heat with someone else's hands. Obviously, someone is interested in passing off the USSR as a supporter of interference in the internal affairs of the Middle East. The collapse of their own plans in Palestine causes these circles to try to shift the whole matter from a sore head to a healthy one.

Bindari said, as he put it - “privately,” that “this unfortunate Palestinian problem,” spoils the atmosphere of friendship between the USSR and Egypt and prevents the establishment of close relations and fraternal ties between the two countries. If it were not for the Palestinian question, the Soviet Union and Egypt would have lived in close cooperation and alliance. However, there is hope that all the clouds will disperse.

I replied to Bindari that, in my personal opinion, Egypt in its actions should be guided by its own interests and less listen to others.

Bindari said that there are some circumstances that prevent Egypt from following its own path.

Concluding the conversation, Bindari asked me how, in my personal opinion, international affairs were going.

I replied that international affairs, as far as we are concerned, should, in my opinion, improve.

The conversation lasted 35 minutes. The OPSV attaché, comrade Gnedykh, was also present.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR V. Zorin 

AVP RF. F. 087. Op. 11.P. 16.D. 5.L. 30-31.