Qaddafi, Muammar 1942- 2011

Information on the situation in the Middle East prepared by KGB Chairman Yuri Andropov in April 1973, prior to a 7 May 1973 discussion in the Politburo.

Andropov stated that given the increase in anti-Israeli propaganda in Egypt and Syria, as well as the heightened state of readiness of their armies, it was possible that a coalition of Middle Eastern states could resume military operations against Israel before, or during the upcoming Nixon-Brezhnev summit.

To prevent this, the KGB initiated a series of active measures. Specifically, they dispatched KPSU Politburo Candidate Member K.G. Mazurov to speak with Egyptian President Sadat and Syrian President Assad on the USSR’s behalf; informed the United States government through unofficial channels that a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East was not in Moscow’s interests; delayed the delivery of new Soviet surface to surface missiles to Egypt; and dispatched a well known Soviet journalist specializing in Middle Eastern affairs to Cairo and Damascus to study the situation.

A summary of meetings held between Deng Xiaoping and Zhao Ziyang with Japanese counterparts concerning the United States, Taiwan, the Soviet Union, Libya, Chinese politics, and other subjects.

Honecker and Gaddafi pledge unity against colonialism in Southern Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, referencing developments in Kampuchea, Iran, and Afghanistan. Honecker presses the importance of disarmament and expresses his support for the Steadfastness and Confrontation Front. The two leaders agree that Libyan oil will be shipped to East Germany.

Qaddafi seeks Bulgarian assistance in his attempt to close a deal with the Soviet Union for purchase of weapons and for construction of a nuclear power plant. Todor Zhivkov in turn requests a loan. Both leaders discuss the situation in Yemen, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Syria, Chad, Sudan, and Western Sahara.

Honecker thanks Qaddafi for his contributions to the cause of the movement of progressive states in the Middle East and the defense against imperialism and Zionism. He expresses concern about the conflict in the Horn of Africa region and wants to arrange a meeting of GDR representative Werner Lamberz with Qaddafi in Tripoli. Further proposed topics for this meeting include talks with representatives of the Palestinian revolution and the continuing development of East German-Libyan relations. (There is a telegram from 1 December 1977 signed by Hermann Axen that refers to this meeting.)