153. Memorandum of Telephone Conversation1
PARTICIPANTS
- President Carter
- Prime Minister Begin
Begin: (After usual salutations) The main thing, Mr. President, is that we will avoid another war. We have made practical arrangements with Sadat to avoid war. I want to thank you for all you have done. This is your achievement.
We agreed to negotiate and we want to go to Geneva. Sadat was not interested in such matters as unified delegation or any other procedural questions.
The arrangements we have made are very confidential and very far-reaching. I will communicate with you separately.
Carter: We are very proud with what you have done. You have shown courage and sensitivity. We are very interested in helping in whatever way we can. When will your message come?
Begin: I am very tired. I had to make all the arrangements, to give interviews, many of them to American television. I am now again talking to Barbara Walters.2 It was all a major intellectual and physical effort. I will write you thus tomorrow.
Carter: I watched your interviews on television and I expect to have replayed for me the other interviews which I did not see.
Begin: In my interview with John Chancellor3 I spoke about you. Did you see the Knesset speeches?
Carter: I watched Knesset. The speeches were very constructive.
Begin: I believe they paved the way to the arrangements that President Sadat and I have made. I also have a request to make of you: You are planning a trip . . .
Carter: Late December—early January.
Begin: Please visit both Israel and Egypt. You will get the greatest reception. Sadat was deeply moved with the reception that he received. If you come, our people will take you to their hearts. You could add two days to your itinerary: one day in Jerusalem; and one day in Cairo.
[Page 765]Carter: I will consider it; in the meantime do get some rest and I will await your message.
The conversation concludes with an exchange of salutations and best wishes.