FBIS Coverage of the Middle East Peace Talks: 1977 December

PPROVED FOR RELEASE CIA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS DIVISION AR 70-14 13NOV201
V. 27 Dec 77 D 24 EGYPT
The agency learned that despite the differences of opinion on some of the points in the
Israeli plan, this move, which is taking place for the first time on the part of Israel,
means reducing the time spent on procedural matters, which could have taken up to 5 to 7
years.
Declaration of Intent Postponed
NC261333Y Cairo MENA in Arabic 1325 GMT 26 Dec 77 NC
[Text] Ismailia, 26 December--MENA has learned that during the Ismailia talks Egypt
concentrated on the need to achieve a comprehensive solution to the Middle East problem,
including the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to establish
their own state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This was the reason which led to
the postponement of the issuance of the declaration of intent, although the Israeli
side officially expressed its readiness during the talks to withdraw to the international
borders of Egypt.
As-Sadat; Differences Can Be Solved
NC261400Y Cairo MENA in Arabic 1330 GMT 26 Dec 77 NC
(Text] Cairo, 26 December--President Muhammad Anwar as-Sadat said today that his talks
with Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin were not difficult, but that there were
differences of opinion. The president said there is no room for retreat from peace after
today and that all differences can be solved in the working committees which have been
formed,
President as-Sadat said that Israel has not yet taken the difficult decisions which I
said in Jerusalem it must take. This came in press statements -which President Anwar
as-Sadat made to a number of newsmen after the press conference in Ismailia today.
President Anwar as-Sadat made a statement before his departure from Ismailia today to
one of the Israeli correspondents in which he replied to a question on whether the
negotiations with the Israeli side had been difficuit. He said: I cannot say that
they were difficult, but I can say that there were differences of views.
)
The Israeli correspondent asked: Is there any room for retreat from peace now? The
president said: As I said before, it is impossible for us to go back now. All differ-
ences can be solved in the committees which have been formed.
The correspondent asked whether the religious character of President as-Sadat and Mr
Begin was a factor of understanding between them. The president said: This might be
true.
The Israeli correspondent told President Anwar as-Sadat: You and Mr Begin have become
famous for always making bold decisions.
The president said: These are not bold decisions. They are decisive decisions made at
an opportune time.
A U.S. correspondent asked about declarations to the effect that Israel has made con-
cessions in its proposals.