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

138. Memorandum From the White House Counsel (Lipshutz) to President Carter¹

Washington, November 14, 1978

RE

• My conversations today with Leon Charney, American attorney for Ezer Weizman

This memorandum supplements the oral report which I gave to Dr. Brzezinski late this afternoon, and a copy of this memorandum has been given to him also.

At Weizman’s request Charney came to Washington late yesterday, and he has talked with me here at the White House several times during the past 24 hours, and between his visits with me he has been with Weizman. This report reflects Weizman’s observations.

The meeting of the Israeli Cabinet later this week obviously is quite important, and Weizman feels that it will be most helpful for the peace process if he is able to attend. However, since Prime Minister Begin had left him here to continue the negotiations, he was having a difficult time figuring out a basis upon which he could return for the meeting. He also has the personal interest in being at the Brist of his new grandson on Friday.

Apparently he has felt the need of some significant message to take back to the Cabinet meeting, in order to justify his returning at this particular time.

In addition to the linkage question, about which I received very little information, the thrust of the message which he sent related to financial matters. Weizman apparently believes that the total financial package which has been presented of about $3.3 Billion is a great deal higher than is really needed to carry out the essential elements of the peace process relative to the Egyptian agreement. He has suggested that the sum of approximately $1.5 Billion spread out over three to four years, would be sufficient to take care of the essential elements such as the construction of the two new airfields, the building of roads and infrastructures in the Negev, and additional electronic surveillance equipment. Little mention was made of the form of such financial assistance but I get the impression that long term, low interest loans would suffice.²

(As a personal observation from me, it is my understanding that whereas direct loans by the federal government would constitute expenditures under the budgetary process, loans from other sources with federal government guarantees might only cause a budgetary impact of the differential between total interest costs and the interest charged on such loans.)

Weizman had expressed some concern as no contact had been made with him during these current negotiations by our Defense Department, but I understand that this evening he is meeting with some representatives from the Pentagon.

Concerning the type of expression of financial support which Weizman thinks would be adequate for the purpose of getting the Israeli Cabinet to overcome a sufficient amount of its concern about this factor is a message which includes language such as: “the United States Government will consider”, or “the United States Government will look into”, or “the United States Government acknowledges this financial need”, along with a caveat such as “subject to the review by the United States of the actual needs, and subject, of course, to Congressional approval”. Along with such language, some indication of your understanding and general support for such financial assistance should be sufficient.³

Weizman also indicated that he as Defense Minister is prepared to reassess Israel’s military requirements and would expect to have significant reductions in the projected needs as presently presented.

Charney came back this evening after having been with Weizman following Weizman’s meeting here at the White House. Weizman apparently is anxious to be here to meet with the Egyptian Vice President when he comes on Wednesday.⁴ Presumably Secretary Vance called Weizman and urged him again to go back to Jerusalem in time to attend the Cabinet meeting and Weizman apparently agrees that it is very important.

Also, Weizman has invited the Egyptian Defense Minister to have dinner with him either tonight or tomorrow night; it was not clear to Charney which night he is doing so.

Regarding the question of financial aid, Weizman states “the President did not tell me NO”, and apparently Weizman received this response in a positive way.⁵

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 15, Egypt-Israel Negotiations: 11/14–17/78. Confidential. At the top of the memorandum, Carter wrote: “cc Zbig. J.” Under this notation, Vance wrote: “Pres and CV met Weizman this afternoon.”
2. In the right-hand margin next to this paragraph, Carter wrote: “Give info to Harold.”
3. In the right-hand margin next to this paragraph, Carter wrote: “Info for Cy.”
4. For discussion of Weizman’s meeting with Mubarak, see Document 140.
5. In the right-hand margin next to this sentence, Carter wrote: “I made no comment at all.” According to the President’s Daily Diary, Carter, along with Vance, met with Weizman in his study at the White House from 3:01 p.m. to 5:02 p.m., November 14. (Carter Library, Presidential Materials) No other record of this meeting has been found.