Historic Meeting

The Summit meeting in Moscow between U.S. President Nixon and the Soviet leaders is now history. We remarked on this page some months ago on the shift in global strategy which was under way as the Great Powers grapple with mounting world problems. Following President Nixon's visit to Peking earlier this year this Moscow Summit will undoubtedly set the pattern for future relations between East and West. Just before the Summit took place, developments in Vietnam, whether by design or otherwise, raised serious doubts as to whether the U.S. President would make this carefully planned historic journey. That the meeting did take place in spite of these unfavourable conditions is evidence that both sides were convinced of its necessity and urgency.

At the end of the week-long visit President Nixon and Soviet leader Brezhnev signed a 'joint declaration of principles' - a 12-point charter designed to govern future relations between the two Powers. In a broadcast following the joint communique the President said that the talks showed "significant progress in reducing the risk of war between America and Russia, and gave this assurance to other nations, "In these talks it has not been our aim to divide the world into spheres of influence or in any way to conspire together against the interests of other nations. Rather we have sought to construct a better framework of understanding between our two nations ... to find ways of ensuring that future frictions between us would never embroil our two nations-and therefore the world-in war".

It is not our business to assess the worth of such assurances, sincere as we believe them to be. As Christians we recognize the responsibility of leaders of nations to do all in their power to seek peaceful solutions to international problems, and it is our duty to pray for such with understanding of the grievous burdens they bear. But we know that the underlying cause of the troubles of mankind will never be solved by human expedients. In due course, in His own time, God will intervene once more in human affairs, and then the kingdom of the world shall "become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ: and He shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev. 11:15).

In December last we drew attention to the importance of keeping in view the great truth of God's complete overall control over the affairs of mankind. In this connection we commend to readers a helpful article in the June issue of our contemporary, Bible Studies, entitled "Divine control and human authority in world affairs". This article will repay careful study.

In Israel the Summit communique was eagerly scanned to see what place had been given to Middle East affairs in the U.S.- Soviet discussions. Israel remains a focal point of world tension. If, as alleged, the Great Powers had agreed to allow matters to cool in the area, the Middle East was jolted back into crisis by the horrible massacre of civilians at Lod Airport on May 30. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed that their commandos had carried out the raid in retaliation for the killing of two Arab guerillas in the abortive hijack attempt at the airport earlier in May. At 'least twenty-six civilians were killed and 78 wounded in the attack, and the terrorists' spokesman warned that any tourist for Israel was a legitimate target.

The attack brought the Israeli Premier Mrs Golda Meir hurrying back from holiday and a strong protest was made to Lebanon where, it is alleged, the terrorists are 'based. At the time of writing (June 6) there are grave fears that failing international action against the terrorists Israel might attempt a revenge raid which could set the Middle East alight.

Here is yet another instance where events can overtake solemn agreements almost before the ink is dry. And it is a further indication that the conditions of "the last days" have come upon the world (2 Tim. 3:1-4). Christians everywhere will be moved to compassionate prayer for those who have been bereaved of loved ones by this horrible crime and for the recovery of those who have been wounded.

Under the Surface

"The truths of the Bible are like gold in the soil. Whole generations walk over it, and know not what treasures are hidden beneath. So centuries of men pass over the Scriptures, and know not what riches lie under the feet of their interpretation. Sometimes, When they discover them, they call them new truths. One might as well call gold, newly dug, new gold." (Anon)

unknown | Jul 1972
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