262. Backchannel Message From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to the Ambassador to Egypt (Eilts)1

WH 60360. The President was very pleased and moved by the courage and statesmanship reflected in President Sadat’s decisions of last weekend.2 He has written to Sadat to express to him his respect and support. The character of the letter and the occasion seemed to present a fitting opportunity for trying out the Sunshine Circuit. Thus, the letter is being sent in that channel concurrent to this message.

Begin text: Message for President Sadat.

Dear Mr. President:

I want to convey to you my admiration for the action you took in your address to the People’s Assembly on March 14, with respect to the Soviet Friendship Treaty. My government and the American people have viewed this as a courageous assertion of the self-respect and dig[Page 929]nity and nonaligned course of the Egyptian nation. You can count on our strong support. The policy of moderation that you have pursued, with us, through so many difficult periods in recent years will, I am convinced, continue to bear fruit. I look forward to redoubling our joint efforts for a just peace in the Middle East.

I remember with warmth our many meetings together.

Sincerely,

Gerald R. Ford

End text.

Warm regards.

  1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Backchannel Messages, Box 5, Sandy Circuit, March 1976, Outgoing. Secret; Priority.
  2. See footnote 3, Document 261.