RECORDING OF THE CONVERSATION OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE USSR A.Ya. Vyshinsky with PRIME MINISTER OF LEBANON R. SALKH

Stalin, Soviets and Israeli Question

RECORDING OF THE CONVERSATION OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE USSR A.Ya. Vyshinsky with PRIME MINISTER OF LEBANON R. SALKH

December 2, 1948

Secret

Received at his request the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Riad Bey Solh, who heads the Lebanese delegation to the General Assembly.

Solkh said he had no special questions for me, but wanted to take advantage of my stay in Paris to see me.

Having mentioned the Soviet Union's defense in 1946 of the interests of Lebanon and Syria in the Security Council on the issue of the withdrawal of troops, Solkh moved on to the question of Palestine. He said that he could not, of course, influence the position of the Soviet delegation on this issue, but he would like to emphasize that an independent Jewish state cannot exist in Palestine, since the Jews are a small national minority there and, in addition, the Jewish state will actually colonial territory and stronghold for the United States and England in the area.

Our position on the Palestinian issue is determined by our foreign policy, one of the most important principles of which is the right of nations to self-determination.

I replied that we regret that there are hostilities between Arabs and Jews in Palestine, and we believe that if there were no foreign troops and there would be no intervention of some great powers, then the Jews and Arabs could more easily reach an agreement ... I added that we hope that such an agreement will still be reached and peace will be established in Palestine. As for the state of Israel, it already exists and has the right to defend its interests.

Solkh said that the Arab countries are pursuing an independent policy on the Palestinian issue and oppose Britain and the United States on this issue. He mentioned that Syria and Lebanon would vote against the British draft resolution. In conclusion, he said that Lebanon is pursuing an independent policy and considers all those who support the independence of Arab countries as its friends.

I said to this that there was no need for us to prove that the USSR by its entire policy confirms that it most consistently defends the independence of small countries against imperialist policies.

Solkh replied that Lebanon always views the Soviet Union as its friend, despite some differences of views on the Palestinian issue.

The conversation lasted 15 minutes. Comrade Ratiani was present.

A. Vyshinsky

WUA RF. F. 0106. Op. 7.P.7, D. 4.L. 5-6.