Ask the Scholar
Page 1 of 1
I can add historical knowledge about this page.
Page image
OCR
File scanned from the National Security Adviser's Memoranda of Conversation
Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Scoworth file
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
SECRET/NODIS/XGDS
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
PARTICIPANTS:
President Nixon
Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel
Major General Brent Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant
to the President for National Security Affairs
DATE AND TIME:
Monday, June 17, 1974
PLACE:
The Knesset
Jerusalem
SUBJECT:
Private Meeting on Israeli Long-Term Arms
Needs
Rabin: The Soviets have furnished three generations of weapons and
and are preparing a fourth for the Arabs.
The problems we face are, first, the terrorists. We are thinking
of putting a network of sensors along the Lebanese border to stop
infiltration.
By 1984 the Arabs will have 1300 SCUDS (there are now 400 in
Egypt), 2600 aircraft, and 250 SAM batteries. We want to maintain the
ratio of one to three, that is, an Israeli force of one-third of the Arab
armaments. To do this we want to buy over the next ten years: 600 planes,
2000 artillery pieces, and the Pershing and Lance missiles. We will
need shelters for our tanks and planes and to fortify our frontiers, and
so on. A posture of defense is more costly than a posture of mobility.
The Soviets are providing an early warning for the Arabs. We
have lost our 12-24 hour early warning. Therefore we must trade space
for time. So our frontiers are also mobile and therefore we must fortify
border after border as the negotiations move step by step.
SEGRET/NODIS/XGDS
DECLASSIFIED
GERALD
LIBRARY
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
NSC V Wa MEMO, 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES, state Deview3/9104
NARC DATE 8/6/04
SECRET/NODIS/XGDS
2
Our ten-year plan will have two five-year parts. We want
joint technological ventures in Defense that is, with the anti-tank
missile, anti-personnel weapons, and helicopters.
In sum, Mr. President, we will negotiate but we must not at
the same time risk our survival.
The total force against us now is as follows: 4500 tanks; 2500 artiller
pieces; and 200 SAMs. This is a big force even by World War II standards.
The Arabs have twice as many as Hitler had. In addition there are 2000
organized terrorists. Their headquarters are in Beirut and Damascus,
some in fortified positions and underground.
Their air defenses have made our ground support more difficult.
Israel's defense expenditures were half of our GNP as a result
of the October War. In 1974 Israel must spend $2 billion compared with
$100 million in 1972. The ratio of our taxes to national income is the
highest in the world -- 62%. An annual deficit of $3 billion is forecast.
Two billion of this is due to defense. From '70-74, Israel spend $4. 3 billion
for defense -- $2. 3 billion in US credits.
For the next ten years -- 1974-83 -- we will need $1. 5 billion in
US assistance per year. Over the next five years we need $20 billion;
$7. 5 billion will be purchased in the U.S. We need $3 billion in U.S. aid
over the next 2-3 years. For all other purposes, $1/2 billion per year.
$8 billion is for covering defense expenditures over the next
We would like the $1. 5 billion in grant. We propose an economic
cooperation agreement.
The President: I understand your situation. Unfortunately, you know I
can't commit past my term. The Congress won't appropriate more than
on a yearly basis. In addition, to go public with a massive -- $2 billion
a year -- program for Israel gives us a massive political problem. You
don't need the symbolism. You must think in long-range terms, but we
should present it as that. The enormity of it would be counterproductive.
Some people say we should have a treaty with you; I think you do
better without one.
What you need is to get it done -- not the symbolism. Work closely
with us, but stay away from the rhetoric and focus on the hardware.
FORD
SECRET/NODIS/XGDS
SEGRET/NODIS/XGDS
3
For my term, you have the technological cooperation agreements.
We must talk further about the long-term commitment. I don't
want you to make plans on a U.S. commitment we can't deliver.
SEGRET/NODIS/XGDS
Pres/Rabin/Com
THE WHITE HOUSE
THE WHITE HOUSE
THE WASHINGTON WHITE HOUSE 17 June 74
WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON
- Saws home frunkshed 3 giveration
use X smill need shelters fortann
We will mystrate but me
plans, Postify parties, atc.
most not at Forms time risk
of organs 1 are proposing a 4th for
Dyiner is more eath Then
ones security
c Charbo.
Tostal Force against the
Perblems-
The Soon provide an EW net for c
4500 Tenks
- Terrer
ando. 08
(Hom about simong orlang Woman
Inder for infillution ?)
we have lost am 12-24 early
200 SAM
- By 1984 the ands aml hand
crawny. : we must trade space for
This is a his free who by WNI Handwis
and have 2X as may as Hitter had
1300 Sands (400 wome in E)
time. Som fronters are
T here are 2 the organd terrusts,
2600 aft
abs. minded ', are must
Hep are in Burnt ( Damakers
250 SAM battines.
fatily treder often toache as
some in fortified & indergrant.
we crennt 5 mtn ration of 1:3
exgotiations more stophy step.
Eatmen - Their an characters have made
ie, 1/3 of and armonists.
On 10 yr plan will have
gornal support come different.
3 1 worst to by cran next 10 years
53 ft parts.
600 plans
- we want joint tide white
2000 anty
Public & home his
of. -19 helight AT missile, Anti personal
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5
NSC MEMO, 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES state Review 3/9/04
RY Lob
MADA DATE 8/6/04
THE WHITE HOUSE
THE WHITE HOUSE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON
I defense expendations years 1/2 GREP
8 sil next for americang dry A experiation Deh
what from had is to get -
as usnlt
In 74 I invet spend 2 his around
we smould she c 1.5 yes, in grant.
not support symbram. Werbs
us/ 100 mil in 72.
We propose a ear erap acquirement:
shetoic 4 1 focus on c has Swart
Closely of no, but stay any your C
Ratio RJ tubes to not increased to import
P- & cant commit poot my am
Form Grow them, your have creaps ach
on crosed (c 20)
long boyrs. writ aproper more than equally
agreements,
Commal defint of 3tril
E,
process.
we contrat. must frotter atmt long Tenn
(z hil is defense)
P.To you purticias/a missing
Dont want you to make
Fr. 70-74 I sport 4,3 for dy.-
2.3 by US exchts.
Pri girls no a massive potation
Hans on us contract me cont deliver.
pish. Jim don't need a
Fr mextro yes-74-83:
you must Units in buy though times, but
1.5 hil us assist you
but & use shouldn't present it as that
(own myt5 yrs 20 as, 7.5 will
be persibusition
The perchase entirity fit under he
we need 3 bil us and can myt
P- Sours say we should have treaty
2-3 yes.
you do evth w/o one.
For all other pempess, 1/2 within
Page data
- Page
- 1
- Source index
- 0
- Type
- document
- Media ID
- a88c71f1c0efb438
- Size
- unknown
Document data
- ID
- 1552724
- Core
- doc
- Type
- document
DTO data
{
"id": "1552724",
"sourceUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1552724",
"contentType": "document",
"title": "June 17, 1974 - Nixon, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin",
"citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1552724",
"collections": [
"Memoranda of Conversations (Nixon and Ford Administrations)",
"Nixon Administration Memoranda of Conversations"
],
"subjects": [
"Israel",
"Foreign aid",
"Middle East conflicts",
"Presidential trips"
],
"iiifBase": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/24/5527/1552724/content/library/document/memcons/1552724.pdf",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/24/5527/1552724/content/library/document/memcons/1552724.pdf",
"largeImageUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/24/5527/1552724/content/library/document/memcons/1552724.pdf",
"imageCount": 1,
"hasImages": true,
"source": "import",
"hasTranscription": false
}
Context sent to Scholar
Document identity
{
"localId": "1552724",
"label": "June 17, 1974 - Nixon, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin",
"core": "doc",
"dtoType": "document",
"citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1552724"
}
Document source metadata
{
"id": "1552724",
"sourceUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1552724",
"contentType": "document",
"title": "June 17, 1974 - Nixon, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin",
"citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1552724",
"collections": [
"Memoranda of Conversations (Nixon and Ford Administrations)",
"Nixon Administration Memoranda of Conversations"
],
"subjects": [
"Israel",
"Foreign aid",
"Middle East conflicts",
"Presidential trips"
],
"iiifBase": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/24/5527/1552724/content/library/document/memcons/1552724.pdf",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/24/5527/1552724/content/library/document/memcons/1552724.pdf",
"largeImageUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/24/5527/1552724/content/library/document/memcons/1552724.pdf",
"imageCount": 1,
"hasImages": true,
"source": "import",
"hasTranscription": false
}
Document source extras
{
"url": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1552724",
"naId": 1552724,
"coverageEndDate": {
"day": 17,
"logicalDate": "1974-06-17",
"month": 6,
"year": 1974
},
"coverageStartDate": {
"day": 17,
"logicalDate": "1974-06-17",
"month": 6,
"year": 1974
},
"levelOfDescription": "fileUnit",
"recordType": "description",
"ocrSource": "nara-archive"
}
Page context
{
"seq": 1,
"pageIndex": 0,
"type": "document",
"url": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/24/5527/1552724/content/library/document/memcons/1552724.pdf",
"mediaId": "a88c71f1c0efb438",
"ocrText": "File scanned from the National Security Adviser's Memoranda of Conversation\nCollection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library\nScoworth file\nMEMORANDUM\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nSECRET/NODIS/XGDS\nMEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION\nPARTICIPANTS:\nPresident Nixon\nYitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel\nMajor General Brent Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant\nto the President for National Security Affairs\nDATE AND TIME:\nMonday, June 17, 1974\nPLACE:\nThe Knesset\nJerusalem\nSUBJECT:\nPrivate Meeting on Israeli Long-Term Arms\nNeeds\nRabin: The Soviets have furnished three generations of weapons and\nand are preparing a fourth for the Arabs.\nThe problems we face are, first, the terrorists. We are thinking\nof putting a network of sensors along the Lebanese border to stop\ninfiltration.\nBy 1984 the Arabs will have 1300 SCUDS (there are now 400 in\nEgypt), 2600 aircraft, and 250 SAM batteries. We want to maintain the\nratio of one to three, that is, an Israeli force of one-third of the Arab\narmaments. To do this we want to buy over the next ten years: 600 planes,\n2000 artillery pieces, and the Pershing and Lance missiles. We will\nneed shelters for our tanks and planes and to fortify our frontiers, and\nso on. A posture of defense is more costly than a posture of mobility.\nThe Soviets are providing an early warning for the Arabs. We\nhave lost our 12-24 hour early warning. Therefore we must trade space\nfor time. So our frontiers are also mobile and therefore we must fortify\nborder after border as the negotiations move step by step.\nSEGRET/NODIS/XGDS\nDECLASSIFIED\nGERALD\nLIBRARY\nE.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5\nNSC V Wa MEMO, 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES, state Deview3/9104\nNARC DATE 8/6/04\nSECRET/NODIS/XGDS\n2\nOur ten-year plan will have two five-year parts. We want\njoint technological ventures in Defense that is, with the anti-tank\nmissile, anti-personnel weapons, and helicopters.\nIn sum, Mr. President, we will negotiate but we must not at\nthe same time risk our survival.\nThe total force against us now is as follows: 4500 tanks; 2500 artiller\npieces; and 200 SAMs. This is a big force even by World War II standards.\nThe Arabs have twice as many as Hitler had. In addition there are 2000\norganized terrorists. Their headquarters are in Beirut and Damascus,\nsome in fortified positions and underground.\nTheir air defenses have made our ground support more difficult.\nIsrael's defense expenditures were half of our GNP as a result\nof the October War. In 1974 Israel must spend $2 billion compared with\n$100 million in 1972. The ratio of our taxes to national income is the\nhighest in the world -- 62%. An annual deficit of $3 billion is forecast.\nTwo billion of this is due to defense. From '70-74, Israel spend $4. 3 billion\nfor defense -- $2. 3 billion in US credits.\nFor the next ten years -- 1974-83 -- we will need $1. 5 billion in\nUS assistance per year. Over the next five years we need $20 billion;\n$7. 5 billion will be purchased in the U.S. We need $3 billion in U.S. aid\nover the next 2-3 years. For all other purposes, $1/2 billion per year.\n$8 billion is for covering defense expenditures over the next\nWe would like the $1. 5 billion in grant. We propose an economic\ncooperation agreement.\nThe President: I understand your situation. Unfortunately, you know I\ncan't commit past my term. The Congress won't appropriate more than\non a yearly basis. In addition, to go public with a massive -- $2 billion\na year -- program for Israel gives us a massive political problem. You\ndon't need the symbolism. You must think in long-range terms, but we\nshould present it as that. The enormity of it would be counterproductive.\nSome people say we should have a treaty with you; I think you do\nbetter without one.\nWhat you need is to get it done -- not the symbolism. Work closely\nwith us, but stay away from the rhetoric and focus on the hardware.\nFORD\nSECRET/NODIS/XGDS\nSEGRET/NODIS/XGDS\n3\nFor my term, you have the technological cooperation agreements.\nWe must talk further about the long-term commitment. I don't\nwant you to make plans on a U.S. commitment we can't deliver.\nSEGRET/NODIS/XGDS\nPres/Rabin/Com\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nTHE WASHINGTON WHITE HOUSE 17 June 74\nWASHINGTON\nWASHINGTON\n- Saws home frunkshed 3 giveration\nuse X smill need shelters fortann\nWe will mystrate but me\nplans, Postify parties, atc.\nmost not at Forms time risk\nof organs 1 are proposing a 4th for\nDyiner is more eath Then\nones security\nc Charbo.\nTostal Force against the\nPerblems-\nThe Soon provide an EW net for c\n4500 Tenks\n- Terrer\nando. 08\n(Hom about simong orlang Woman\nInder for infillution ?)\nwe have lost am 12-24 early\n200 SAM\n- By 1984 the ands aml hand\ncrawny. : we must trade space for\nThis is a his free who by WNI Handwis\nand have 2X as may as Hitter had\n1300 Sands (400 wome in E)\ntime. Som fronters are\nT here are 2 the organd terrusts,\n2600 aft\nabs. minded ', are must\nHep are in Burnt ( Damakers\n250 SAM battines.\nfatily treder often toache as\nsome in fortified & indergrant.\nwe crennt 5 mtn ration of 1:3\nexgotiations more stophy step.\nEatmen - Their an characters have made\nie, 1/3 of and armonists.\nOn 10 yr plan will have\ngornal support come different.\n3 1 worst to by cran next 10 years\n53 ft parts.\n600 plans\n- we want joint tide white\n2000 anty\nPublic & home his\nof. -19 helight AT missile, Anti personal\nDECLASSIFIED\nE.O. 12958, SEC. 3.5\nNSC MEMO, 11/24/98, STATE DEPT. GUIDELINES state Review 3/9/04\nRY Lob\nMADA DATE 8/6/04\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nWASHINGTON\nWASHINGTON\nI defense expendations years 1/2 GREP\n8 sil next for americang dry A experiation Deh\nwhat from had is to get -\nas usnlt\nIn 74 I invet spend 2 his around\nwe smould she c 1.5 yes, in grant.\nnot support symbram. Werbs\nus/ 100 mil in 72.\nWe propose a ear erap acquirement:\nshetoic 4 1 focus on c has Swart\nClosely of no, but stay any your C\nRatio RJ tubes to not increased to import\nP- & cant commit poot my am\nForm Grow them, your have creaps ach\non crosed (c 20)\nlong boyrs. writ aproper more than equally\nagreements,\nCommal defint of 3tril\nE,\nprocess.\nwe contrat. must frotter atmt long Tenn\n(z hil is defense)\nP.To you purticias/a missing\nDont want you to make\nFr. 70-74 I sport 4,3 for dy.-\n2.3 by US exchts.\nPri girls no a massive potation\nHans on us contract me cont deliver.\npish. Jim don't need a\nFr mextro yes-74-83:\nyou must Units in buy though times, but\n1.5 hil us assist you\nbut & use shouldn't present it as that\n(own myt5 yrs 20 as, 7.5 will\nbe persibusition\nThe perchase entirity fit under he\nwe need 3 bil us and can myt\nP- Sours say we should have treaty\n2-3 yes.\nyou do evth w/o one.\nFor all other pempess, 1/2 within"
}