228. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Egypt1
61231. For Ambassador Eilts. Subject: Presidential Message to Sadat.
1. Please deliver Presidential message to Sadat below and follow up with the additional remarks in guidance para 3. Our purposes are to reassure Sadat on eve of the Begin visit that we are sticking to the agreed strategy; to discourage him insofar as necessary, from any public reaction to Begin letter2 that would hamper present critical stage of negotiation; and, ideally, to elicit some positive statement on his part, especially on Resolution 242, that would lend support to the President’s efforts with Begin. On this last objective, point is that commitment to Resolution 242 will be much discussed in American press, and reiteration of Sadat’s commitment would help keep the record straight.
2. Begin text of President’s message:
“I have followed closely your recent exchange of letters with Prime Minister Begin and the reports from Assistant Secretary Atherton and [Page 1055] Ambassador Eilts of their detailed discussions with you. While, obviously, there are real and persisting differences, I think it was a constructive move on your part to reestablish direct communication. It will be recognized as a further demonstration of your sincerity and dedication in seeking to move the peace process forward. I understand from our talks the views which prompted you to send your message, and I share your desire to recapture the momentum generated by your trip to Jerusalem.
“As we agreed when you were here, we view Prime Minister Begin’s visit as providing an essential opportunity to discuss what must be done if progress in the negotiations is to accelerate. I will concentrate on two important issues—the need for withdrawal on all fronts as envisioned in Resolution 242 and the need for a just resolution of the Palestinian problem in all its aspects, allowing the Palestinians to participate in determining their own future. I want you to know that our conversations at Camp David are very much in my mind and that I will be pursuing, in my meetings with the Prime Minister, the objectives we discussed at that time. I will send you a report shortly after Prime Minister Begin’s visit is concluded.
“With warm regards, Jimmy Carter.” End text.
3. After delivering the President’s message, you should convey the President’s further views as follows. The President is deeply appreciative of the restraint and statesmanship President Sadat has shown in this delicate period as we approach a very important and difficult meeting with Begin. Sadat’s action in reopening direct communication has been helpful in bolstering awareness in the United States of Sadat’s dedication to a continued and successful negotiation. Sadat’s important interview with James Reston, published on page 1 of the March 9 New York Times, was a most noteworthy and impressive contribution at this juncture.3 In Sadat’s recognition of Israel’s security needs, in his references to the need for a genuine peace which would be eternal, and in his commitment to the ongoing peace process, he has reinforced at a timely moment his positive and constructive image with American public opinion. If he has an occasion in the next few days to make a public statement, it could be helpful to our common purposes if he reaffirmed his commitment to 242 as the basis for negotiation, stressing both the principle of withdrawal on all fronts and the concomitant commitment to peace and security for Israel that constitute essential elements of 242.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840176–1383. Secret; Nodis; Immediate. Drafted by Brubeck and Harold Saunders, cleared by Quandt and Richard Castrodale (S/S–O), and approved by Secretary Vance.↩
- See footnote 6, Document 224.↩
- The interview was conducted in Cairo on March 8. See James Reston, “In Interview Egyptian Urges U.S. to Become a ‘Partner’ in Talks,” New York Times, March 9, 1978, p. A1.↩