Page:Ford, Kissinger, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin - September 13, 1974(Gerald Ford Library)(1552787).pdf/3

Rh is with Egypt. Egypt is the Arab leader and it is good to go there first. But Egypt can't be alone, and we understand it would be immediately followed by Jordan. What we seek from them is non-belligerency, demilitarization, and time to change the infrastructure, so we can defend on the new line.

I don't think non-belligerency is attainable. But you can ask for it.

Kissinger will be there from about October 8-14. If he could get something.

We will do our best to work with Secretary Kissinger.

Can I have a good strong commitment that you will work with him? We both have a strong interest to keep the momentum going.

We will do our best to move at that time.


 * I understand the issue of the final borders won't be discussed.

We have not discussed final borders at all [with the Arabs]. They have not raised it. And we haven't. We have discussed interim steps, but neither I nor the President have talked final steps. At the time of the Syrian disengagement, I said we would not push Israel off the Golan.

I reaffirm that commitment.

Thank you very much. I commanded at the Golan for three years; it was an intolerable situation.

For us to.keep this process going, we need some ambiguity, you know. We take the position that it is unrealistic to discuss final borders. If Israel could avoid saying what they will never do with the Syrians, we would be better off.

I never mentioned a line, just that we wouldn't leave.

Even that. . . . . . ..