Secretary Kissinger: This is so.
Vice Premier Teng: Then why is the Soviet Union going back to Egypt?
Secretary Kissinger: I don't think the Soviet Union is going back to Egypt. I think Egypt has to show, for domestic reasons, and for inter-Arab reasons, that it also has relations with the Soviet Union. But the Soviet Union stopped military aid and has reduced its economic aid.
Vice Premier Teng: It is said you promised to give Egypt something but didn't keep your promise. Is this true?
Secretary Kissinger: I don't know what you are referring to specifically. We promised Egypt $250 million in economic aid which Congress has not yet approved. But we expect Congress will approve it, hopefully by the end of the year.
Vice Premier Teng: Anyway, our views -- as Chairman Mao said to your personally -- are that you must use both of your hands. Of course, it is not possible for you to stop aiding Israel. But once you aid Israel, you should use both your hands [and assist the Arabs].
Secretary Kissinger: I completely agree. In addition to the $250 million [in economic aid], we have arranged another $250 million from the World Bank; so it is $500 million. And in addition we have arranged for 500,000 tons of grain, and we may give them more.
Vice Premier Teng: What about military aid? Weapons.
Secretary Kissinger: I think we had better have a small meeting again tomorrow. There were one or two other things I neglected to mention.
Vice Premier Teng: Chairman Mao has made very clear our policy on the Middle East question. In the first place, we support the Arabs and the Palestinians in their just struggle; and secondly, we feel that a heavy blow should be dealt to the polar bear in this area. [Teng laughs.] We have this feeling recently -- it may not be very accurate -- that in the Arab world the Soviet Union has somehow gotten the upper hand on you.
Secretary Kissinger: I don't believe this will be true in three months. I think by February it will be apparent that further progress is being made as a result of American initiatives, and we will then see a repetition of last year's situation.
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
