Letter from Erich Honecker to Syrian President Hafez al-Assad

Berlin, 3 November 1973

To the
General Secretary
of the Syrian Regional Directorate
of the Arab Baath Party

President of the
Syrian Arab Republic

Excellency H a f e z  a l - A s s a d

Excellency!

The Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and the Government of the German Democratic Republic assure you of their eminent great respect and their firm solidarity for the implementation of the just demands of the Arab peoples and states regarding a complete withdrawal by Israel from all Arab territories occupied in 1967, and for a guarantee of the legitimate demands of the Arab people of Palestine.

The people of the German Democratic Republic support, together with the peoples of the Soviet Union and the other states of the socialist community, in this situation and as always, consequently all states and peoples fighting for freedom and independence; as it is also expressed by the joint declaration of the Politburo of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, the State Council, and the Council of Ministers of the German Democratic Republic concerning the new Israeli aggression.

I have the honor to let you know in this context that the German Democratic Republic, following the request by your embassy from 10 October 1973, has provided to the Syrian Arab Republic the following military technology and ammunition to support its just liberation struggle:

1. A squadron of interceptor-aircraft Type MiG-21 consisting of overall 12 aircraft with related ground equipment and three battle sets of ammunition and aircraft missiles.

2. 62 medium tanks of Type T-54 AM with 3 battle sets of ammunition           

(- 6,100 grenades
- 720,000 shots machine gun ammunition
- 3,600 hand grenades)

for the equipment of two tanks battalions.

3. 300 anti-tank rifles RPG-7 with 4 battle sets of ammunition (24,000 shots)

4. 74,500 grenades, of which for

5. 30,000 tank-mines of Type TM-46

This military technology and ammunition has already been handed over to the armed forces of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and the Government of the German Democratic Republic are convinced that this support will contribute to the success of the just struggle by the people of the Syrian Arab Republic fighting for freedom and independence. They assure you, Excellency, of their further solidarity.

Please accept the fraternal greetings from the people of the German Democratic Republic to the people of our closely allied and fraternal Syrian Arab Republic.

With the expression of my eminent high respect

E. Honecker

First Secretary of the Central Committee of the SED
Chairman of the National Defense Council of the GDR