Negotiating the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty, Part I: September 18–December 16, 1978


58. Memorandum for the Record

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 56, Jordan: 8–10/78. Secret.


59. Memorandum of Conversation

Source: Carter Library, Brzezinski Donated Material, Geographic File, Box 14, Middle East—Negotiations: (9/77–12/78). Secret. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. Brzezinski summarized the conclusions of this conversation in a September 21 memorandum to Vance. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 7, Camp David: 9/18–21/78)


60. Memorandum for the Record

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 81B00112R: Subject Files, Box 15, Folder 41: DCI/DDCI MEMRECs/Memos/Agendas of Brzezinski/Aaron Meetings, August–December 1978. Secret. According to the date stamped on the first page, this memorandum was drafted on September 20.


61. Letter From President Carter to King Hussein of Jordan

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 56, Jordan: 8–10/78. No classification marking. The letter is handwritten.


62. Letter From President Carter to Syrian President Assad

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 88, Syria: 4/78–5/79. No classification marking. On the first page of the letter, Brzezinski wrote: “Quandt: FYI.” An unknown hand also wrote: “Handed to Vance by ZB.” Seelye delivered Carter’s letter to Khaddam on September 19 in the latter’s office at the Syrian Foreign Ministry. After discussing its contents with Seelye, Khaddam said he would pass the letter to Assad. (Telegram 5475 from Damascus, September 19; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780381–0549)


63. Telegram From the Department of State to the United States Observer Mission in the Sinai

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780385–0095. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Albert A. Vaccaro (INR/RNA/NE); approved by W.D. Wolle (INR/RNA); cleared by C. William Kontos (SSM). Sent for information Priority to Abu Dhabi, Algiers, Baghdad, Brasilia, Cairo, Doha, Jerusalem, Kuwait, London, Madrid, Manama, Mogadiscio, Moscow, Muscat, Nicosia, Nouakchott, Paris, Rabat, Tehran, Tel Aviv, Tripoli, Tunis, Sana, USUN, and the Department of the Treasury.


64. Memorandum of Conversation

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, Files of Alfred L. Atherton, Lot 80D166, Box 6, Action/Future Stops. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the Hashamiya Palace. The Jordanian Prime Minister was Muhdar Badran, not Adnan Badran as indicated in the list of participants. On September 21, Vance cabled a summary of this conversation to the Department of State for distribution to Carter and Brzezinski. (Telegram Secto 10015 from Amman, September 21; Carter Library, Donated Material, Papers of Walter F. Mondale, Foreign Countries, Box 60, Foreign Countries—Middle East [9/16–30/1978]) Vance arrived in Amman on September 20; he departed to Saudi Arabia on September 21.


65. Memorandum of Conversation

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, Files of Alfred L. Atherton, Lot 80D166, Box 8, Memcons, 2 of 2. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Twinam on September 23; approved by Wisner on October 3. The meeting, held in the Al-Ma’dher Palace, followed a brief meeting between Vance and Khalid. In this exchange, which largely focused on the King’s health and the general history of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, Khalid told Vance that “during the Camp David summit he had been preoccupied with his wish that President Carter would achieve success, that while he was also concerned for Sadat’s success his thoughts were much more with President Carter.” The record of this meeting is ibid. Vance visited Saudi Arabia September 21–24.


66. Telegram From Secretary of State Vance to the Department of State

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 88, Syria: 4/78–5/79. Secret; Flash; Nodis. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Vance arrived in Syria from Saudi Arabia on September 24 and departed the same day. Seelye sent an assessment of this meeting in telegram 5677 from Damascus, September 26. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850061–2033)


67. Letter From President Carter to Egyptian President Sadat

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 11, Egypt: 9–12/78. No classification marking. At the end of the letter, Carter added the handwritten notation: “Best wishes. I would like to see a peace treaty in a few days of negotiations—not a few weeks. J.”


68. Telegram From the Embassy in Israel to the Department of State

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840153–2629. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis Handle as Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to the White House, Amman, Cairo, and Jerusalem.


69. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Cables File, State Department Out, Box 113, 9/24–30/78. Secret; Sensitive; Cherokee, Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to the Secretary’s Delegation. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted by Korn, cleared by Quandt and Tarnoff; approved by Saunders. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840156–2110) Vance was in New York for the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.


70. Telegram From the Embassy in Israel to the Department of State, the Mission to the United Nations, and the White House

Source: Carter Library, Brzezinski Donated Material, Geographic File, Box 14, Middle East—Negotiations: (9/77–12/78). Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis Distribute as Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Cairo, Amman, and Jerusalem. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted by Korn; cleared by Quandt and Stanislaus R.P. Valerga (S/S–O); approved by Saunders. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840156–2116) At the top of the telegram Carter wrote: “Zbig. Compromise may be based on no new settlements during ‘self-government’ negotiations. Time cannot be tied to Sinai negotiations. Work on it. J.” Under Carter’s note, Brzezinski wrote in the margin of the document: “#’s 10–12 indicate clearly why Begin so adamant; he wants the right to build, no matter what the ‘autonomous’ Arabs may think. ZB.”


71. Transcript of a Telephone Conversation Between President Carter and Israeli Prime Minister Begin

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 36, Memcons: President: 8–9/78. Secret. Carter wrote on the top of the document: “OK. J.”


72. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Cables File, State Department Out, Box 113, 9/24–30/78. Secret; Sensitive; Niact Immediate; Exdis Distribute as Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Cairo, USDEL Secretary in New York, and the White House. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted by Korn; cleared by Quandt and Stanislaus R.P. Valerga (S/S–O); approved by Saunders. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840156–2116) An earlier, draft version of the message to Begin, with Carter’s amendments, as well as a September 27 covering memorandum from Brzezinski to Carter bearing Carter’s initialed approval, is in the Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 9, Israel: Prime Minister Menachem Begin, 7–12/78.


73. Memorandum of Conversation

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 11, Egypt: 9–12/78. Secret. Carter wrote on the top of the transcript, “Zbig—He also said he agreed with my proposals on Sinai issues relayed to him by Eilts. J.” The transcript was found attached to a September 28 covering memorandum from Quandt to Brzezinski bearing a handwritten notation that reads: “revised version hand carried to the President Sept 29.”


74. Memorandum From William B. Quandt of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Chron File, Box 135, Quandt: 9/78. Secret. Sent for information.


75. Telegram From the Consulate General in Jerusalem to the Department of State and the Embassy in Israel

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780399–1152. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Sent Niact Immediate to Tel Aviv. Sent for information Immediate to Cairo. Sent for information to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Jidda, Kuwait, and USUN. On September 22, the Consulate General in Jerusalem reported that while “we have not thought it appropriate” for Vance or Atherton to meet with West Bankers in previous visits, “[i]n the fundamentally changed circumstances after Camp David, we believe a quiet unpublicized meeting by Ambassador Atherton with leading West Bankers could help build support for the Camp David Agreements.” (Telegram 2631 from Jerusalem, September 22; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780387–0095) After discussing the proposal with Lewis on September 27, Newlin confirmed the plan to hold a meeting between Atherton and West Bank/Gaza notables on September 29, in order to “allay some of their underlying fears and misgivings.” (Telegram 2673 from Jerusalem, September 27; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780394–1196)


76. Memorandum of Conversation

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Office, Presidential Advisory Board, Box 81, Sensitive XX: 9/20–25/78. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room. Drafted by Krimer. The memorandum, printed in its entirety, is also in Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, vol. VI, Soviet Union.


78. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850035–1878. Secret. Printed from an uninitialed copy.


79. Report Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 80M01542R: Executive Registry Subject Files (1978), Box 7, Folder 3, J–3: Jordan. Secret; Sensitive. The report was forwarded under an October 7 covering memorandum from Turner to Vance, which indicated that the information in the report was also provided to Brzezinski and Veliotes. In the memorandum, Turner stated that [text not declassified] had not seen Hussein in “such an apocalyptic mood since the evening following the Rabat Summit Decision.” (Ibid.)


80. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Saunders) to Secretary of State Vance

Source: Department of State, Office of the Secretariat Staff, Cyrus R. Vance, Secretary of State—1977–1980, Lot 84D241, Box 4, unlabeled folder. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Sterner on October 6. Sterner also initialed the memorandum. The initials “CV” are stamped at the bottom of the first page indicating that Vance saw the memorandum.


82. Memorandum of Conversation

Source: Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, NEA Front Office Subject File 1978–1984, Lot 85D251, Box 3, 1978 Memcons—President. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Atherton on October 11. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting took place in the Cabinet Room from 4:47 p.m. to 5:53 p.m. (Carter Library, Presidential Materials) Carter’s handwritten notes from the meeting are in the Carter Library, Plains File, President’s Personal Foreign Affairs File, Box 2, Israel, 11/77–2/79.


83. Memorandum of Conversation

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 14, Egypt-Israel Negotiations: 10/11–12/78. Secret; Sensitive. The memorandum was found attached to an October 24 memorandum from Quandt to Brzezinski indicating that this is the official transcript of the conversation. Carter’s handwritten notes from the meeting are in the Carter Library, Plains File, President’s Personal Foreign Affairs File, Box 1, Egypt, 11/77–11/81.


84. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Egypt and Israel

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Cables File, State Department Out, Box 113, 10/1–16/78. Secret; Sensitive; Immediate; Nodis. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted by Kirby; cleared by Richard Castrodale (S/S–O) and Atherton; approved by Saunders. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840156–2252)


85. Report Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Job 80M01542R, Executive Registry Subject Files (1978), Box 7, Folder 13, M–1: Middle East. Secret; Sensitive. The report was found attached to a covering memorandum from Turner to Brzezinski, date stamped October 23, stating that a copy of the report had also been sent to Vance.


86. Telegram From the Department of State to Secretary of State Vance in Pretoria

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Cables File, State Department Out, Box 113, 10/1–16/78. Secret; Sensitive; Cherokee; Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Cairo, Tel Aviv, and the White House. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted by Sterner; cleared by Thomas G. Martin (S/S–O); approved by Sterner. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840157–2041) Vance was in Pretoria for discussions on the Namibian question with South African officials.


87. Memorandum From Ambassador-at-Large Alfred L. Atherton, Jr. to President Carter

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Office, Presidential Advisory Board, Box 77, Sensitive X: 10/78. Secret; Nodis. Printed from an uninitialed copy. Carter initialed “C” at the top of the memorandum.