Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume IX, Arab-Israeli Dispute, August 1978–December 1980, Second, Revised Edition

102. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel¹

Washington, October 22, 1978, 1926Z

Tosec 120172/268679. Subject: Letter From President Carter to Prime Minister Begin.

1. Please deliver² following text of letter from President Carter to Prime Minister Begin on Egyptian-Israeli peace negotiations:

2. Begin text.

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

In the past few days, I have directed much of my time to the Egyptian-Israeli peace negotiations. I am pleased to tell you that we have made very good progress. Your delegation has shown a constructive attitude throughout the talks and has succeeded in keeping the Camp David spirit alive.

On Saturday,³ the two delegations were able to reach agreement on the text⁴ of a draft treaty which they will recommend to their respective governments. In my judgment, it is a fair and balanced document that protects the interests of both parties. After you have had the opportunity to study it carefully, I hope that your government will be able to give it your full endorsement. I am making the same appeal⁵ to President Sadat.

I have also suggested to your delegation that you and President Sadat exchange letters agreeing to begin negotiations within one month of signing the treaty to establish the self-governing authority. I consider it particularly important that this letter be signed and announced on the same day as the treaty is signed. As you will learn from your delegation, I am also prepared to send you a letter that I will be prepared to take the necessary steps to ensure that a UN or multinational force will remain in Sinai on a permanent basis.

On three other issues of deep concern to you, I have made a personal appeal to President Sadat. I have asked him to accept an interim withdrawal line which will leave Neot Sinai under Israeli control until the final withdrawal is carried out. I have also urged him to accept a limitation on his surface-to-air missiles whereby only SA–7s or their equivalents would be allowed to accompany the mechanized division in Sinai. Finally, I have strongly advised President Sadat to send an Ambassador to Israel within one month of the completion of the interim withdrawal. I have told him I would be prepared to record this agreement in a letter which I would send to you, as Foreign Minister Dayan suggested. President Sadat had not yet given me his answers, but I am hopeful that he will adopt a positive attitude.

Important work remains to be done by the technical experts on some of the issues dealt with in the annexes to the treaty, but it is my belief that we are very close to having an acceptable treaty of peace between Egypt and Israel. This is an historic moment and you can take well-deserved pride in having brought your people a long step toward the goal they cherish—to live in peace with all their neighbors.

Mr. Prime Minister, it would be a great honor for me to join you to witness the signing of the peace treaty.

You have my best personal wishes,

Sincerely, Jimmy Carter.

End text.

Christopher

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Cables File, State Department Out, Box 113, 10/17–22/78. Secret; Sensitive; Cherokee; Niact Immediate; Stadis. Sent for information Immediate to Cairo and the Secretary’s delegation. Vance was in Moscow for SALT negotiations. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted by Atherton; cleared by Quandt and Thomas R. Reynders (S/S–O); approved by Atherton. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840153–2474)
2. In telegram 15380 from Tel Aviv, October 23, Lewis reported that Carter’s letter had been delivered to Begin’s private secretary for delivery to the Prime Minister. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840156–2358)
3. October 21.
4. See footnote 2, Document 99. Along with a draft version of this letter to Begin, a copy of the October 21 treaty draft (Draft 7) is attached to an October 22 memorandum from Atherton and Quandt to Carter summarizing the U.S. delegation’s talks with the Israelis and Egyptians. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Office, Outside the System File, Box 66, Middle East: Non-Meeting: 2–12/78)
5. The text of Carter’s letter to Sadat was sent to Cairo in telegram Tosec 120173/268680 to Cairo, October 22. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Cables File, State Department Out, Box 113, 10/17–22/78) In telegram 23464 from Cairo, October 23, Eilts reported that he had delivered Carter’s letter to Sadat and read it to him. Sadat told Eilts that the Egyptian comments on the current draft of the peace treaty had been sent to Boutros Ghali in Washington and that he instructed Khalil to present the comments to Eilts for transmittal to Carter. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Cables File, State Department Out, Box 113, 10/23–31/78)