The
Geneva Conference of 1973 was an attempt to negotiate a solution to the
Arab-Israeli conflict as envisioned in
United Nations Security Council Resolution 338 following the called-for cease-fire to end the
Yom Kippur War. After considerable "
shuttle diplomacy" negotiations by
Henry Kissinger, the conference opened on 21 December 1973 under the auspices of the
United Nations Secretary General, with the
United States and the
USSR as co-chairmen. The foreign ministers of
Egypt,
Jordan and
Israel were in attendance. The table with
Syria's nameplate remained unoccupied, although Syria had indicated possible future participation. Each foreign minister spoke, mainly directed to their domestic audiences rather than to each other. Kissinger articulated his step-by-step strategy and stated that the goal of the conference was peace; the immediate need was to strengthen the cease-fire by accomplishing a disengagement of forces as the "essential first step" toward implementation of
UN 242. The meeting was then adjourned.