60. Editorial Note
In preparation for Secretary of State Vance’s trip to the Middle East in August, President Jimmy Carter sent messages to the five principal Arab leaders in the Arab-Israeli dispute: President Anwar al-Sadat in telegram 177886 to Cairo, July 29 (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840084–1030), President Hafez al-Asad in telegram 177887 to Damascus, July 29 (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840076–0255), President Elias Sarkis in telegram 177888 to Beirut, July 29 (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840086–2462), King Hussein in telegram 177889 to Amman [Page 371] (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840084–1868), and King Khalid in telegram 177890 to Morocco (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840084–1030). In each message, Carter shared some of his “thoughts regarding peace negotiation prospects.” He noted that he had spoken with all of the “leaders directly concerned with the Arab-Israeli conflict,” and expressed his hope that negotiations toward a comprehensive settlement would be possible during the fall. He promised all of them that the United States would “be prepared to play an active role in this process, which we see as being conducted by various means, including to a considerable degree through our continuing mediation efforts both within the framework of the [Geneva] conference and bilaterally.” Carter concluded by stating that “Secretary Vance will be speaking with my full authority, and I will be in daily touch with him as he undertakes his important mission.”