90. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel1
192564. For the Ambassador From the Secretary. WH for Brzezinski Only. Subject: Message for Prime Minister Begin.
1. Please deliver to Prime Minister Begin the following message from the President following up my private conversation with Begin and Dayan during my visit.
[Page 473]2. Begin text:
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
Secretary Vance has reported to me in detail on his meetings with you and your colleagues,2 and I am personally grateful to you for the warmth of his reception and the candor with which you and he spoke.
As I reflected on his report about his talks in the Arab capitals and in Jerusalem, I am deeply conscious of the gaps that still exist between the positions of the parties. I am not discouraged about the prospects of ultimate agreement, because all of us realize that the alternative to peace is unacceptable. I do feel, however, that it is important now to move promptly to narrow the gaps if we are to convene a Geneva Conference that has a satisfactory chance of success.
I am gratified that all the governments concerned have undertaken to give us for our own use detailed written statements that will put in concrete language what each would like to see in final peace treaties. It is in moving away from generalities toward specifics, expressed in written form, that we have the best chance [omission in the original] complete frankness, convinced that you will understand the spirit which motivates my candor. Israel and the United States are too closely bound historically, morally, emotionally for us to conceal from each other our deepest concerns. I know that we share the determination to find a way to create lasting peace for Israel and for your neighbors in the region. I am confident that you will not take actions in this delicate moment which would endanger our chances of reaching that goal.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Carter
End text.
3. You will be receiving copies of related messages to Damascus and Beirut.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850106–1501. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted and approved by the Secretary. Cleared by Tarnoff and Allan W. Otto (S/S–O). Sent immediate for information to Damascus, Beirut, and the White House. Vance returned to Washington on August 13 after 2 days in London.↩
- Carter met with Vance and Brzezinski on August 14 from 1:57 until 4:38 p.m. (Carter Library, Presidential Materials, President’s Daily Diary) A White House statement issued after the meeting noted that progress was made during Vance’s visit but that major differences remained “on how Palestinians views can best be represented in negotiations, but also on the definition of secure and recognized borders and the nature of a Palestinian settlement.” (Department of State Bulletin, September 12, 1977, p. 355) Carter wrote in his diary that Vance’s report on his trip was “encouraging, with almost a concensus among Arab countries. The Israelis are going to be typically recalcitrant, but the more we go public with a reasonable proposition the more difficult it will be for them not to make an effort.” (White House Diary, p. 83)↩