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

78. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter¹

Washington, undated

SUBJECT

• Peace Talks Between Egypt and Israel

We have received agreement in principle from both Egypt and Israel to send Foreign and Defense Ministers to Washington in October for talks on the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. Begin has told Sam Lewis that Dayan, Weizman and a group of advisors could be in Washington on October 12 to begin talks;² Sadat has told Hermann Eilts and Roy Atherton he could send his delegation of nine to ten members for talks to begin on October 12.³ I suggest that we now move to extend formal invitations for talks to begin here on October 12. Attached are draft letters from you to Begin and Sadat.

We have looked at a number of possible locations for the conference. We do not believe that an out-of-town site would be desirable, for it would be inconvenient and would slow messages we might wish to send to Sadat and Begin. In Washington, we think that Dumbarton Oaks would be an ideal site not only because of its fine facilities, but also for the symbolism of holding the Egyptian-Israeli peace negotiations at the site of the 1944 negotiations for the UN Charter. If you agree, I would like to have the Department begin immediately to make the necessary arrangements with Harvard University, the owner of Dumbarton Oaks, for its possible use as site for the talks.⁴

I recommend that our negotiating team be headed by myself, with Roy Atherton as my Deputy. We have been considering whether to bring Ambassadors Eilts and Lewis back to Washington to participate in the talks. Sadat and Begin will remain in their respective capitals, and I believe it will be more important to have Eilts and Lewis stay at their posts to work with Sadat and Begin on problems that arise in the talks. Unless you have other views, I will instruct Eilts and Lewis accordingly.⁵

Recommendation:

1. That you approve the attached letters to Sadat and Begin.⁶

2. That you authorize the Department of State to explore the possibility of having Dumbarton Oaks as site for the Egyptian-Israeli talks.

Attachment

Draft Letter From President Carter to Egyptian President Sadat⁷

Washington, undated

Dear Mr. President:

Now that the Israeli Knesset has approved the “Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty Between Egypt and Israel,” as well as the withdrawal of all Israeli settlers from Sinai according to a timetable within the period specified for the implementation of the peace treaty, I believe we should proceed to begin the talks to conclude peace between Egypt and Israel.

I would like therefore to⁸ extend to the Government of Egypt an invitation to send its Foreign and Defense Ministers⁹ to Washington for talks to begin on October 12 with their Israeli counterparts. I am today sending this same invitation to Prime Minister Begin.

I have asked Secretary Vance to represent the United States at these talks, which we are prepared to arrange to be held at an appropriate site in Washington.

With all best wishes,

Jimmy Carter¹⁰

Attachment

Draft Letter From President Carter to Israeli Prime Minister Begin¹¹

Washington, undated

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

Let me once again tell you of my admiration for the courage and skill with which you have approached the difficult but historically important decisions made in the Knesset September 28. As we agreed on the phone, with the conclusion of the Knesset’s vote, I believe we should now proceed to begin the talks to conclude peace between Egypt and Israel.

I would like therefore to¹² extend to the Government of Israel an invitation to send its Foreign and Defense Ministers¹³ to Washington for talks to begin on October 12 with their Egyptian counterparts. I am today sending this same invitation to President Sadat.

I have asked Secretary Vance to represent the United States at this conference, which we are prepared to arrange to be held at an appropriate site in Washington.

With all best wishes,

Jimmy Carter¹⁴

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850035–1878. Secret. Printed from an uninitialed copy.
2. See footnote 2, Document 72.
3. See footnote 2, Document 67.
4. In his memoirs, Vance wrote that “a number of possible sites for the talks” were considered, but ultimately, Blair House, the official guest residence of the President, located across the street from the White House, was chosen as the venue for the conference. “Although its physical facilities were not really suited to this use,” he noted, the “historic nature of the site added to the atmosphere of serious purpose, and it was assumed that the delegates would have other work space at the nearby Madison Hotel. Eventually, more and more of the working parties’ meetings shifted to the hotel, which became known among the delegates as ‘Camp Madison.’” (Hard Choices, pp. 232–233)
5. In telegram 250355 to Cairo and Tel Aviv, October 2, Saunders instructed Eilts and Lewis to remain at their posts during the talks since neither Sadat nor Begin would be attending. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840157–2069)
6. Carter indicated his approval of both recommendations and initialed “J” below them.
7. No classification marking. The letter as amended by Carter was sent to Cairo on October 2. (Telegram 249940 to Cairo, October 2; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780402–0561) Eilts reported in telegram 22019 from Cairo, October 2, that the letter was delivered to the office of Boutros-Ghali for couriering to Sadat at The Barrages. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780402–0902) Boutros Ghali informed Eilts on October 3 that Sadat had instructed him to accept formally the invitation. The Egyptian foreign ministry previously informed the Egyptian media of Sadat’s acceptance the night of October 2. (Telegram 22050 from Cairo, October 3, National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780403–1090)
8. Carter struck through “would like” and “to” in this phrase.
9. Carter crossed out the phrase “its Foreign and Defense Ministers” and replaced it with “your negotiating team.”
10. Carter wrote: “OK. J” next to this typewritten signature.
11. No classification marking. The letter, as amended by Carter, was sent to Tel Aviv on October 2. (Telegram 249939 to Tel Aviv, October 2; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780402-0559) Lewis reported in telegram 13788 from Tel Aviv, October 3, that the letter was delivered to Begin’s residence the morning of October 3. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780403–1102)
12. Carter struck through “would like” and “to” in this phrase.
13. Carter crossed out the phrase “its Foreign and Defense Ministers” and replaced it with “your negotiating team.”
14. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.