Marx-Engels |  Lenin  | Stalin |  Home Page

  Stalin, Soviets and Israeli Question
 

RECORDING OF THE CONVERSATION OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE USSR V.A. ZORINA WITH  F. ZEYNEDDIN

December 29, 1948

Secret

Today at 3 pm I received the Syrian envoy at his request. Zeyneddin, in connection with his departure to Damascus, set forth the orders of his government.

The principles of freedom and self-determination of nations, supported by the Soviet Union, are of vital interest to Syria as a small power, the envoy said. There are only 12 other countries in the UN that are second in size to Syria. It is the small countries that bear the heavy burden of fighting for their freedom and independence, but the Syrian people are eager to fight for their independence and freedom. Syria also supports the Indonesian people in their struggle for independence. Since the Soviet Union stands for the above principles and strives to preserve international peace, there is a solid basis for cooperation between Syria and the Soviet Union.

The envoy further emphasized the desire of his government to promote friendly cooperation with the Soviet Union and asked about my opinion on this matter. I replied that what he said would be brought to the attention of the Soviet Government, and added that without knowledge of the specific problems of cooperation it would be difficult to say anything on this issue.

Zeyneddin, after stipulating that all problems and issues should be resolved in a spirit of mutual understanding, as well as through consultation with each other and attempts to reach a unanimous opinion, told me that he had 4 specific issues on which his government would like to reach mutual understanding and cooperation with Soviet Government:

1. The issue of the evacuation of foreign troops from Syria.

2. The Palestinian question.

3. Tripoli.

4. Development of trade between Syria and the Soviet Union. 

Dwelling further on the first question, Zeyneddin made the remark that, speaking about Syria, he also speaks about the interests of the entire Arab nation as a whole. Speaking about the evacuation of foreign troops, he said that he meant Alexandretta and the Alexandretta area, since there are no foreign troops in the rest of Syria. Syria has never recognized the occupation of this area and hopes to find support in this matter.

Moving on to the Palestinian question, he said that the point of view of the Soviet Union with respect to Palestine is known, since it has been detailed at the UN. However, he considers it unfair that Arabs seeking to liberate Palestine are called aggressors, because Arabs are being driven out by Jews from territory rightfully belonging to Arabs. The Messenger believes that it is wrong to apply the expression “persecuted,” to Jews. In support of his thesis, he pointed to the Jews from Eastern European countries who were moving to Palestine, and stated that they could not be called “persecuted,” since they live in truly democratic countries and enjoy equal rights with all other citizens. If we take Jews from the countries of Western Europe and America, then it must be remembered that large monopolies are concentrated in the hands of a handful of Jews in these countries, and rather these Jews “persecute” the rest of the population, rather than are “persecuted”.

In both cases, Zeyneddin continued, the resettlement of Jews is carried out for political reasons, in order to spread their influence. He also stated that there were rumors that the Soviet Union was allegedly helping the Palestinian Jews, but that he did not believe it and rejected this rumor in front of his government. However, - noted Zeyneddin, - he cannot say this in relation to the countries of Eastern Europe.

Abdallah, in his opinion, is, apparently, a puppet in the hands of the British, in fact, he is now pursuing the policy of the Americans. The UN Conciliation Commission, in his opinion, is only a tool for eliminating differences between imperialist groups, which have already been almost eliminated.

Zionism, according to Zeyneddin, is the bearer of the ideas of imperialism. Zeyneddin believes that there is a lack of understanding on the Tripoli issue. In his opinion, neither Italy nor any other country should in any form govern this territory. It must be self-governing. Italy itself is not a country independent of foreign influence, and these influences, in turn, would spread from Europe to colonial territory. "The promises of the British are worth nothing," Zeyneddin remarked with a grin, "for they were given by the British," “As for trade, then of course, - said Zeineddin, - this issue is within the competence of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Syrian Ministry of Economy, but the Foreign Ministries of both countries must open the door for these negotiations,”. Zeyneddin did not put forward anything specific in this area.

In conclusion, stating that he foresaw my answer in advance, Zeineddin inquired whether it could be hoped that the Soviet Government would consider these issues in a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding. I said that I would bring the questions raised to the notice of the Soviet Government, which could, naturally, consider them in the light of its policy.

The conversation lasted one hour. Comrade Matveeva was present.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR V. Zorin 

AVP RF. F. 021. Op. 9.P. 1.L. 5-7.