21. Message From Egyptian President Sadat to President Nixon1
We have received the invitation extended by The Government of the United States to Mr. Mohamed Hafez Ismail to visit Washington in order to exchange views on matters of interest to our two countries.2 I have considered it an indication of the special interest of the United States Government in the Middle East crisis. I had also previously noted your statements confirming your concern in working towards achieving peace in the Middle East. These statements, coming after the termination of the war in Vietnam, confirm our conviction that circum[Page 55]stances lend themselves now to exerting further efforts to achieve a full and just settlement of the conflict in our region.
I have consequently directed Mr. Ismail to proceed to Washington in response to your Government’s invitation prompted by the hope that, in shouldering its international responsibilities, the United States will throw its weight in defense of freedom and independence and the legitimate right of peoples to self-determination.
The situation in our region has deteriorated almost to the point of explosion. And our intense awareness of our responsibilities urges us to exert a new and intensified effort to achieve peace based on justice guaranteeing the freedom and independence of our peoples.
Egypt will always remain faithful to the principles it has upheld with honour and determination, bearing its responsibilities towards its people and the other Arab peoples linked to her by common struggle, whatever the risks or sacrifices.
Please accept, Dear Mr. President, my best regards.
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 131, Country Files, Middle East, Egypt/Ismail, Vol. II, January 1–Feb. 23, 1973. No classification marking. Marked “Unofficial Translation.”↩
- See Document 19.↩
- The translation bears this typed signature and an indication that Sadat signed the original.↩