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Sixth Arab Summit: Policy Statement
Sixth Arab Summit
Policy Statement
Algiers, 28 November 1973
The Kings and Presidents of the States of the League of Arab States, at their meeting in the Palais des Nations in Algiers at the invitation of President Muhammad Anwar al-Sadat of the Arab Republic of Egypt and President Hafiz al-Asad of the Syrian Arab Republic, studied the Arab and international situation in the light of statements submitted by the Kings and Presidents, of the report of the Secretary General, and of the recommendations of the Foreign Ministers, and took the political, defense, and economic decisions which the situation requires.
The Arab world is passing through a decisive period in its history, and the battle against Zionist aggression is a long-term historic responsibility which demands further efforts and sacrifice. If the war of October 1973 demonstrated the determination of the Arab nation to liberate its occupied territories whatever the cost, then the cease-fire on the ground in no way means that the struggle is over or that a solution can be imposed on the Arab states which does not realize their just aims.
So long as the causes of the aggressive and expansionist wars which have brought the world to the brink of global conflict are not eliminated, no lasting peace or true security can be established in the Middle East. It is impossible to reconcile aggression, occupation, expansionism and hegemony with the principles of national independence, development, progress and a just peace.
The war of October 1973 is, like its predecessors, the inevitable result of the policy of aggression and fait accompli practiced by Israel in violation of international principles and resolutions and the rights of peoples. Since usurping the rights of the Palestinian people and expelling them from their country, Israel has not ceased its efforts to expand, relying on the collusion of the imperialist states and their economic, technological and military support, particularly from. the United States of America. This collusion has recently come to light in the form of mobilizing unprecedented financial and material support, supplying specialist mercenaries, and organizing a political offensive which groups together all the enemies of the liberation of the Third World.
In addition to its policy of war and expansion, Israel also seeks as part of its imperialist strategy to rule out the possibility of development for the peoples of the area. Zionism thus appears, in an era which is witnessing the upsurge of national liberation movements and the eradication of imperialism, as a dangerous resurgence of the imperialist and racist system and of its methods of domination and economic exploitation.
Despite Israel's ties with world imperialism, which places various means and capabilities in the service of its aggressive aims, the Arab nation has never abandoned its national goals nor shrunk from the demands of the struggle. Setbacks and hardship have been unable to weaken its national will, but have rather strengthened its resolution and determination.
In October 1973 the armed forces of Egypt, Syria and the Palestinian resistance, accompanied by other Arab forces, were able to inflict very heavy losses on the Israeli aggressors, and during this battle there developed a growing awareness on the part of the Arab nation and governments of their responsibilities and their human and material potential. This awareness is manifested in a practical solidarity whose effectiveness has been proved and which has given a new impetus to the Arab liberation movement.
The Conference salutes our brave soldiers on the battlefronts, who .have written the most glorious and bravest pages of our national history and whose determination to fight until victory is ever growing. The Conference also calls blessings upon our valiant and upright martyrs who have immortalized their memories and raised the stature of their nation.
Israel now appears in its true light and the expansionist nature of its policy is clear for all to see. I ts bogus friendship towards the African peoples stands exposed and it no longer receives the slightest support in Africa except from the imperialist and racist regimes in South Africa, Rhodesia and Portugal.
Moreover, Israel is facing a general rejection of its policy in the Islamic countries, the non-aligned countries, the liberation organizations of the Third World, the socialist countries and in enlightened and unbiased world public opinion. As a result, Israel's diplomatic isolation has today become a palpable reality. A particular indication is that some European governments traditionally known for their support of Israeli positions have begun to question the validity of Israel’s adventurist policy, which involves great danger to international peace and cooperation.
These factors, which represent important gains for the Arab cause, must be developed and reinforced in order to arrive at a solution which will guarantee Arab national rights.
The cease-fire of over one month ago continues to meet with maneuvering and sabotage from the Israeli side. Israel's official attitudes and its actions on the international level also confirm that Israel has in no way abandoned its old policy or renounced its imperialist and expansionist ambitions.
The cease-fire is not peace. Peace requires the fulfillment of a number of conditions, foremost among them two firm and fundamental ones:
(1) Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories, with particular regard to J erusalem.
(2) The recovery by the Palestinian people of their established national rights.
Unless these two conditions are met, it is useless to expect anything in the Middle East other than the aggravation of the explosive situation and the outbreak of new confrontations.
The Arab Kings and Presidents, aware of their historic responsibilities, confirm their readiness to participate in reaching a just peace on the basis of these two principles. It is up to those who talk of peace to give concrete proof of their desire to end a situation which grows daily more dangerous and explosive.
The Arab countries will not under any circumstances accept to mortage their future against illusory promises and empty bargaining. Not the slightest doubt must be left in world public opinion, which has for so long been deceived by Zionist propaganda, about the Arab nation's intention and determination to recover its usurped rights and to liberate its occupied territories.
Peace can only be achieved through complete frankness and by avoiding maneuverings and deception, and on the basis of the principles set out in this statement. Therefore the Arab Kings and Presidents announce that any new and constructive consultations must take place within this framework. If the conditions for a just peace are not forthcoming and if Arab efforts for peace meet rejection from Israel and its allies, the Arab countries will find themselves compelled to draw the natural conclusions and to continue their battle for liberation, however long it may take, by all means possible and in all fields.
The Arab nation is determined to do its duty and is prepared for further struggle, expenditure and sacrifice. It is up to the whole world to bear the responsibility for resisting aggression and to support the Arabs’ just struggle.
Statement to Western Europe
The world, which is following with interest developments in the Middle East problem, has a right to know the definition of what we are seeking and to share our hopes and views as to the future in our region and in the world as a whole.
We affirm to the world that we are endeavoring within the framework of international law to achieve a just and lasting peace on the basis of the restoration of our occupied territories and the recovery of the national rights of the Palestinian people. Within this framework we are endeavoring to establish a zone of peace in the Middle East which will ensure our interests and the interests of all the countries of the world, and we desire to remove international tension from the area, believing as we do in the UN Charter and the principles of non-alignment.
While expressing our deep appreciation of the positive and constructive participation undertaken by our brothers and comrades-in-arms in Africa, Asia, the non-aligned countries and the socialist countries, we are also watching with greater attention and interest the signs of an understanding of our position which have begun to appear in the states of Western Europe. We also announce our sincere readiness to cooperate in the efforts being undertaken within the framework of the United Nations to establish a just peace in the area.
Western Europe is linked across the Mediterranean to the Arab peoples by strong ties of civilization and vital interdependent interests which can only flourish in a framework of cooperation characterized by mutual interests and trust. It is therefore appropriate for it to adopt a clear and impartial stand in respect of our just cause, thereby proving the independence of its will and playing its full role in international affairs. It should accomplish this by committing itself to work by all possible means to bring about Israel's withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories, with particular regard to Jerusalem, and the recovery by the Palestinian people of their national rights.
The Arabs desire the friendship of all peoples and wish for an exchange of benefits with them without discrimination on the basis of guaranteeing their legitimate rights and safeguarding their vital interests. They similarly desire to share in providing for the well-being of the world, as long as the world participates with them in providing security and justice in their region.
Statement to the Socialist Countries
At their meeting in Algiers from 26 November to 28 November 1973, the Arab Kings and Presidents studied the Arab and international situation. They express their appreciation of the socialist countries which cut their diplomatic relations with Israel following the Israeli aggression against the Arab countries in 1967. They note with pride the full political support of the Soviet Union and the other socialist countries, their military support and economic cooperation with the Arab countries, and their standing at the side of the just Arab struggle to liberate the occupied Arab territories and recover the rights of the Palestinian people. They also note with appreciation the continued support of the People’s Republic of China for the struggle of the Arab nation.
They look forward to a reinforcement of this cooperation and a development of these ties by all possible means, in the service of mutual interests, of the fulfillment of common objectives and of the strengthening of Arab friendship with the socialist countries. They are confident that the socialist countries’ solidarity with the just struggle will render ever increasing service to freedom and justice and ever increasing support for world peace.
Statement to Africa
The Arab Kings and Presidents who met in Algiers from 26 November to 28 November 1973 discussed the new situation in the Middle East resulting from Israeli aggression and its effects on international security. They took into consideration the growing movement towards solidarity which the fraternal African states have expressed in favor of the just Arab cause and the struggle to liberate the. occupied Arab territories and to recover the national rights of the Palestinian people. This struggle is part of the battle which the forces of liberation are waging against the forces of imperialism, racism and Zionism.
Since they consider that Arab-African solidarity must manifest itself in a tangible form in all spheres, including the sphere of economic and political cooperation, with the aim of strengthening the bases of national independence and achieving development, they resolve:
1. To send messages of appreciation to fraternal African states for the decisions they have taken to break their relations with Israel, thereby increasing its isolation from the world.
2. To express their appreciation for the confirmation of this solidarity with the struggling Arab countries at the extraordinary meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organization of African Unity.
3. To extend full support to the African countries in their struggle for national liberation and economic progress and in their struggle against imperialism and racial discrimination.
4. To welcome the decision of the Ministerial Council of the OAU at its recent emergency meeting to form a committee composed of seven countries to organize African-Arab cooperation. They resolve to take the following measures to strengthen Arab-African solidarity and embody it in practical form:
a) Support for Arab-African cooperation in the political sphere and strengthening Arab diplomatic representation in Africa.
b) Breaking off all diplomatic, consular, economic, cultural and other relations with South Africa, Portugal and Rhodesia by those Arab states which have not yet done so.
c) The application of a total embargo on Arab oil exports to these three countries.
d) The adoption of special measures to continue normal supplies of Arab oil to the fraternal countries of Africa.
e) Strengthening and expansion of economic, financial and cultural cooperation with fraternal African states, at a bilateral level and at the level of Arab and African regional organizations.
f) Doubling their political and material support for the struggle of African liberation organizations.
g) In order to speed up the application of these decisions and the establishment of continuous cooperation between the Arab and African countries, they charge the Secretariat General of the Arab League with taking steps to implement them and with contacting the Secretariat of the OAU and th1e committee of seven countries attached to it to organize regular consultations between the Arab and African countries at all levels, including the highest.
Statement to the Non-Aligned Countries
The Arab Kings and Presidents who met in Algiers from 26 November to 28 November 1973 consider that Israeli aggression has proved the soundness of the analysis made by the heads of state and governments of the non-aligned countries during their fourth conference in Algiers. This analysis establishes with precision that the prevailing situation in the Middle East is the result of Israeli obduracy and Israel's persistence in the policy of occupying the territories of three nonaligned countries, and that this aggression represents a threat to world peace and security.
The Kings and Presidents note the imperialist character of Israel as a factor causing tension and confrontation in a vital region of the Third World. They note with satisfaction the full solidarity the non-aligned countries have shown towards Egypt, Syria, Jordan and the Palestinian people in the struggle for the liberation of their territories, the integrity of their soil, and their national rights.
This solidarity has manifested itself particularly in the political and diplomatic activity which has played its part in the disapproval of the international community and its condemnation of Israel's aggressive, expansionist and annexationist plans.
Since the Kings .and Presidents are sending messages of appreciation to the non-aligned countries in Africa for the effective solidarity they have shown towards the struggle of the Arab peoples, they urge all the non-aligned countries to redouble their individual and collective efforts to find a solution in the Middle East which accords with the ·principles and resolutions of the non-aligned countries and seeks to establish peace and security in the world.
Since the Kings and Presidents condemn the close collusion existing between Israel, imperialist and racist regimes, and American imperialism, they call upon the community of non-aligned nations, which represent the peoples of the Third World and a majority of the world's population, to shoulder their international responsibility to support right and justice not only in the Middle East but throughout the world. They will thus participate more fully, in accordance with the resolutions of the fourth summit conference, in the establishment of an international system based on democracy and in conformity with the peoples’ aspirations towards progress, security and peace.
Source: International Documents on Palestine, 1973. Beirut : Institute for Palestine Studies, 1976, p. 527-530.