Washington, October 10, 1973
Nixon: There is a serious situation in the Middle East. It has developed into something tougher than the Israelis anticipated.
Kissinger: The Israelis were caught with their pants down —unmobilized.
Nixon: The Israeli tank losses have been extremely heavy. We won’t violate the confidence by giving you figures, but they are far heavier than anticipated.
Kissinger: If the Arabs start to win, all the Arabs will jump in. Israel has suffered the equivalent of 100,000 killed.
Nixon: We will not let Israel go down the tube.
history.state.Gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v25/d143