114. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Italy and Algeria1
SUBJECT
- Message for President Bendjedid.
1. (S) Entire text.
2. Please pass to Ambassador Walters the following text of a letter from the President to President Bendjedid for delivery during his meeting.
3. Begin text:
Mr. President:
I have asked Ambassador Vernon Walters, who has my full confidence, to set out for you and your government the details of the major initiative in the context of the Middle East peace process which I announced September 1.2
As Ambassador Walters will make clear, it is my firm determination to seize the historic opportunity that exists today to move toward [Page 256] a resolution of the Palestinian problem in all its aspects. While we believe that the United States has a significant responsibility to seek a resolution of this critical issue, I am aware that in order to achieve progress, the views of all must be seriously considered. For that reason, Ambassador Walters’ discussions with you and our similar discussions with other leaders are an important first step.
Our differences in the past have been on means, but not on the goal of securing peace and the legitimate rights of the Palestinians. I know that you will listen carefully to the details of my proposals and consider them in the light of your own long dedication to peace and justice. The time is ripe and our actions today can contribute significantly to the achievement of our common goal.3
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
- Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Head of State File, Algeria: President Bendjedid (8105773–8407957). Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was sent from the White House Situation Room.↩
- Reference is to Reagan’s September 1, 1982, Fresh Start initiative for peace in the Middle East, in which he called for a plan to “reconcile Israel’s legitimate security concerns with the legitimate rights of the Palestinians.” This, he argued, required a “new realism on the part of all the peoples of the Middle East.” The initiative specifically called for “full autonomy” for the Palestinian inhabitants of the West Bank and Gaza during a 5-year transition period from Israeli to Palestinian rule. Meanwhile, Israel should immediately adopt “a settlement freeze” in these areas, which “more than any other action, could create the confidence needed for wider participation in these talks.” The United States, however, would not support the creation of an independent Palestinian state. The text of the address is printed in Public Papers: Reagan 1982, Book II, pp. 1093–1097, and in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. I, Foundations of Foreign Policy, Document 116. Documentation on the initiative is scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XIX, Arab-Israeli Dispute.↩
- In telegram 3610 from Algiers, September 5, Walters indicated that during a September 5 meeting in Algiers, Bendjedid said “this action by the United States was a definitely positive step. He could not be ‘more royalist than the King’ and whatever was acceptable to the Palestinians would be the Algerian position. The Arabs believe that the PLO is the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian position.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D820461–0403)↩