Mideast peace process/Situation in Lebanon – USSR/USA joint statement – Letter from USSR and USA

Letter dated 25 September 1989 from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of

the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Secretary of State of

the United States of America addressed to the Secretary-General

We have the honour to transmit to you the text of the joint American-Soviet statement of 23 September 1989 (see annex).

We request you to circulate this text as an official document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 31, 32, 34, 36, 66, 82 (f), 111 and 139, and of the Security Council.

ANNEX

Joint statement of 23 September 1989 of the Union of Soviet

Socialist Republics and the United States of America

Secretary of State James A. Baker, III and Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze met September 22-23 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for discussions on the entire spectrum of U.S.-Soviet relations, in the course of the Foreign Minister's official visit to the United States.

…

II.

…

The Secretary and the Foreign Minister had a thorough and frank exchange on regional issues.  The sides reaffirmed their belief that active U.S. and Soviet support for political solutions that are comprehensive and based on broad national reconciliation could facilitate the peace resolution of regional conflicts around the world.  They noted that the two sides continue to differ on some specific aspects of the question of arms supplies and their effect on the possibility of political settlements.

They noted that a cycle of regional experts discussions had been held on Central America, Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.  Both sides found these discussions useful for understanding one another's views, and agreed to continue experts meetings in the future.

…

The sides reaffirmed their support for an active Middle East peace process.  Among other issues, they also exchanged views on the place in that process of an Israeli-Palestinian dialogue leading to a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict in which all relevant parties will participate.

The Secretary and the Foreign Minister expressed in a separate joint statement their strong support for the Arab League Tripartite Committee plan on Lebanon to bring about a ceasefire, a lifting of the blockade and a dialogue among the Lebanese parties aimed at achieving a political settlement.  They condemned the taking of hostages and called for the immediate release of all hostages.

…

—-