Transcript of Nixon phone call reveals depth of collapse of the US UK special relationship in 1973

University of Warwick ^ | August 15, 2011 | Unknown

[decimon]

The collapse of the US UK special relationship in August 1973 is the focus of the latest BBC Radio 4 programme ‘Document’, featuring University of Warwick Professor of International Security Richard J. Aldrich. The programme examines a fascinating transcript of a conversation between President Nixon and Henry Kissinger which reveals the depth of the US antagonism towards Edward Heath’s pro-European stance.

The transcript reveals Henry Kissinger’s frustration at the lack of support by the UK government for American foreign policy. In retaliation Kissinger chose to cut off the Anglo-American special intelligence relationship established during the Second World War. Kissinger urged Nixon that “we should show our teeth” in order to get the British into line.

Heath struck back two months later when the Yom Kippur War broke out in the Middle East. America needed British bases in the UK and Cyprus to fly their spy aircraft over the region. Heath imposed heavy restrictions and the antagonism over spy-flights lasted until the summer of 1974.

[Mmogamer]

So the brits were willing to sacrifice Israel for political backbiting games?

[DJ MacWoW]

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[Popman]

Is it that surprising the UK would throw Israel under the bus ?

[x]

The abrasive Mr. Heath had a way of antagonizing people. The Queen much preferred his socialist opponent Harold Wilson. Heath and Thatcher were great enemies, even though they shared a sharp animosity to the Conservative Party’s traditional upper-class leadership.

[buccaneer81]

So the brits were willing to sacrifice Israel for political backbiting games?

Have you forgotten who "owned" Israel until 1948?

My heritage is 75% English, but I harbor no illusions about Britain's relationship with Israel.

[iowamark]

The bad relationship between Nixon and Heath was much more complex than “US antagonism towards Edward Heath’s pro-European stance.”

[nkycincinnatikid]

Special relationship:
britain can screw everything up from here till Christmas in hell for your own benefit AND we the USA will send our boys to die to try to fix it.

[Ax]

The Brits who hung around the pub just off the base referred to The Right Honourable Harold Wilson as “The Right ‘Orrible Addled Wilson.” They didn’t have much time for him.

[Fiji Hill]

A few days after the Yom Kippur War broke out, Israel had los a third of its tanks and a fifth of its air force. The Europeans, fearing an Arab oil embargo, were reluctant to help, so Israel turned to America as its last resort. When Nixon got Israel’s request for aid, he responded by ordering munitions to be sent to Israel on “anything that can fly”—and soon C5 transports were landing at Lod Airport in with supplies that helped Israel turn the tide of battle.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks decimon.

Edward Heath's pro-European stance... lack of support by the UK government for American foreign policy... Heath struck back two months later when the Yom Kippur War broke out in the Middle East. America needed British bases in the UK and Cyprus to fly their spy aircraft over the region. Heath imposed heavy restrictions and the antagonism over spy-flights lasted until the summer of 1974.

Oh yeah, that's the reason. From the 1940s:

• We Lose to Great Britain
• Partition: An Old Custom
• Great Britain Bets On The Wrong Horse
• The Security Council Vote on Palestine
• Message to Lady Astor
• Britain's Bitter Fruit
• Genocide at Cyprus
• The Gilded Carriage of Queen Victoria