131. Editorial Note
On October 14, 1977, President Jimmy Carter sent the “Working Paper on Suggestions for the Resumption of the Geneva Peace Conference” to Syrian President Hafez al-Asad in telegram 246487 to Damascus (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East File, Box 88, Syria: 9/77–3/78), Jordanian King Hussein in telegram 246493 to Amman (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East File, Box 56, Jordan: 9/77–1/78), and Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat in telegram 246490 to Cairo. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840070–0360) In addition to sending the working paper, Carter wrote personal messages to each leader seeking to overcome procedural issues in an effort to convene a new Geneva Conference. In all three messages, Carter wrote, “The proposed procedure would provide for the Arab parties to be represented at Geneva by a unified delegation that would include Palestinians. After the opening sessions of the conference, working groups would be formed to negotiate peace treaties between Israel and Egypt, Israel and Syria, and Israel and Jordan. If Lebanon joins the conference, an Israel-Lebanon group would also be formed. The issues of the West Bank and Gaza would be discussed in a working group consisting of Israel, Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinians. The question of refugees would be discussed in accordance with terms to be agreed upon. This formula would permit negotiations of the issues that are of importance to the conflicting parties.”
Carter also addressed Palestinian representation, noting, “The precise means for assuring Palestinian representation within a unified Arab delegation remain to be worked out. My hope is that the Arab parties can cooperate with us to assure that an acceptable formula can be found to include individual Palestinians within the unified Arab delegation without reference to their organizational affiliation.” The working paper is the first attachment to Document 124.