FBIS Coverage of the Middle East Peace Talks: 1977 December

PPROVE-D FOR RELEASE CIA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS DIVISION AR 70-14 13NOV2013
V. 27 Dec 77 D 19 EGYPT
[Qunetion] Mr President, my name is Larry (Fredge) of Metromedia Television news.
In your opinion, is an Israeli military presesce on the West Bank the major stumbling
block now to a solution to the Palestinian question?
[As-Sadat] I don't want to reveal what we have already discussed and the proposal that
has been made by Prime Minister Begin. He has shown his will to the military government
on the Western Bank. But we differ on the issue, as I have told you, of a Palestinian
state on the Western Bank and the Gaza Strip through self-determination.
[Question] My name is Eddy Rosenthal from the Dutch television. The question to both
the prime minister and President as-Sadat: You have been discussing the possibilities
for a comprehensive settlement. Did you raise during your discussions also the future
of the Golan Heights?
[As-Sadat] I can't speak for Syria or for the Golan Heights, as I told you. I am only
now concerned with the main principles in the Arab strategy. Whenever we reach agree-
ment upon those points between us in the political committee and in the military
committee, well, after that, everyone should negotiate. for himself.
[Begin] I agree completely with the president. I do want to express the hope that
President al-Asad will join our common effort. We want a comprehensive peace treaty.
We want peace with our neighbors to the south, north, and to the east. And when
President al-Asad agrees to negotiate with us, we will be willing to negotiate with
him. This is the problem of the northern border of Israel and the common border of
Israel and Syria.
[Question] Rif'at (Badir), OCTOBER Magazine. Excuse me my president, As-Sadat. I
am an Egyptian journalist and I want to ask Mr Begin in his language.
[Begin] You want to speak to me Hebrew? -
[Question] In Hebrew.
[Begin] I understand Hebrew. [laughter]
[Question--in Hebrew] Mr Prime Minister of Israel, I want to ask you whether theinitiative of President as-Sadat has led to .fundamental changes in your thoughts andcalculations? I also want to ask you how do you see the future of Israel afterpeace, and how do you see the future of the Middle East after peace, and how do you
see the future of peace itself?
(Begin--in Hebrew] I want to tell you that you speak Hebrew better than myself. Mycongratulations. Now I want to answer you in Hebrew and I will translate my wordsinto English. My answer to your question is: I want to point out that Egyptian
President Anwar as-Sadat's visit to Jerusalem was one of historic significance, and
it. is appreciated by all the people of Israel, the Egyptian people and all the peoples
in the world. Since this visit, we have worked hard on a peace plan I submitted to thepresident. I explained it to him in detail yesterday in the meeting between thepresident nd myself alone and in the meeting between the two delegations. The futureof the State of Israel after pe:.ce, just like the future of Egypt, will undoubtedlybe bright. When peace is achieved among the peoples of tlke Middle East, the MiddleEast will develop, as his majesty the king of Morocco said, into a paradise on earth.This is indeed the cradle of human civilization, and the good tidings of peace andprogress will go out from here. Therefore, I was very happy to hear your question,and this was my answer.