Letter, L.I. Brezhnev to Gamal Abdel Nasser

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ARAB SOCIALIST UNION

GAMAL ABDEL NASSER

Dear friend, President Gamal Abdel Nasser!

I received yours friendly message passed on by our guest, Ali Sabri. I cordially thank you for the expression of warm fraternal feelings and the friendly wishes which were contained in this letter.

The determination of the leadership and the people of the UAR to continue the anti-imperialist struggle, to seek the liberation of the Arab territories occupied by the Israeli invaders, and to travel forward on the path to national independence and progress pleases us. We also note with satisfaction the desire expressed in the message to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation in all fields which bind us.

At your instruction Ali Sabri presented to us your assessment of the situation in the Middle East in connection with the Israeli aggression and the position of the US. This information was quite valuable. It allows us to better know the situation in this region and to work out a common position with the UAR in the fight against the Israeli expansionists and for a complete observance of the 22 November 1967 Security Council resolution.

One can establish with pleasure the coincidence of our views about the need to pursue the main policy directed at a political settlement and at the same time to strengthen the defensive ability of the UAR, which increases the morale of the people and the army. When this is done it is important to pursue matters so as not to allow hasty actions which could give Israel an excuse to undertake broad military actions against the UAR in conditions when opportunities in the political sphere are not yet exhausted. Ali Sabri will present you with our views on these questions in detail.

In sending you, dear friend, a fraternal message of reply, I would like to confirm the determination of the Soviet Union to henceforth give the UAR aid and support in its just struggle and to develop comprehensive cooperation between our countries and peoples. In spite of the difficulties which exist we will do everything possible to meet your desire in the area of the supply of some additional quantities of military equipment in short supply. Other questions of our relations will be solved in the spirit of close cooperation, including in the economic area.

We took the report of our friend Ali Sabri about the work done in the UAR on party development and turning the ASS into a progressive political organization of workers with great pleasure, and have agreed on specific steps to develop ties between the CPSU and the ASS.

Dear friend! We await the arrival of you and [your] family for a vacation in the Soviet Union with great joy. This will be a new pleasant opportunity for meetings with you, concerning which I and my colleagues hold the warmest memories.

With fraternal greetings and best wishes,

L. BREZHNEV

18 July 1969