FBIS Coverage of the Middle East Peace Talks- 1978 September

PPROVED F ASE CIA HI TORICAL COL E TIONS DIVISION AR 70-14't V 01
In order to achieve it, it is necessary to be moderate and be patient because only such an
approach might overcome 30 years of bitter fighting and hostility. Mr President, you,who have broken through the wall of isolation surrounding Israel in the Middle East; you, who
have shattered the psychological barrier of distruat between the nations; you, who have
proved that there i.s someone to talk to=-we call on you: presenting conditions to the
negotiations will strengthen those who do not have faith in the sincerity of your desire
to make peace and for whom your visit in Jerusalem constituted a mere episode. There arethings that Israel will not be able to give up, the most important of which is its security
[end videotape]
BEGI SPEAKS BEFORE DEPARTURE FOR CAP DAVID
TA022033Y Jerusalem Domestic Service in Hebrew 1901 GMT 2 Sep 78 TA *B(%m IJ- / Mj
[Address to the nation by Prime Minister Begin in Jerusalem on the eve of his departure for
the Camp David summit--live]
[Text] A good week to you, citizens of Israel. This evening I came to talk to you on a
number of political, economic and social issues. Let us begin, of course, with the tripar-
tite conference at Camp David. Tomorrow, God willing, the Israeli delegation will depart
for the United States. On Tuesday we shall go to Washington, and from there to the site
of the conference.
This is certainly one of the more important events of our era. There are those who say that
in international diplomacy such a conference is without precedence. We do not, however,
accept certain views regarding this meeting. If anybody should tell us that this is a
fateful meeting, we will not agree with him. The fate of our nation is not dependent on
any kind of meeting. Our nation has existed for thousands of years before Camp David, and
will continue to exist for thousands of years after it. If we are told: This is the last
chance of reaching an agreement to make peace; we shall not accept this. There are no last
chances in life; there is always another chance. The simple truth is that this is a very
important meeting.
With what shall we go to Camp David? We shall go to this meeting with the utmost of good
will to reach an agreement which will enable the continuation of the thorough and serious
negotiations for achieving a permanent peace in the Middle East and for putting an end to all
the wars between us and the Arabs--wars which we hate and do not want. We shall go to this
meeting with an open heart and with confidence, because we have a peace plan based on Justice
and fairness.
There were people who asked me: How will it be when you meet with President as-Sadat, to-
gether with President Carter, or face-to-face, how will it be? I am going to answer
simply: I will unhesitatingly stretch out my hand to the president of Egypt and tell him:
In Jer'usalem and in Ismailia you informed me that you were my friend.. These are important
words, and they are binding. Let us renew this friendship and maintain it despite all that
has happened between Ismailia and the day you and I agreed to meet, together with the
President of the United States, at Camp David.
It's true, there have been denigrating, vile and offensive statements in the Egyptian press.
I have forgotten them. They will have no impact on our position,. Let us decide together
and reiterate to each other the most important announcement that you made to me and which I
reciprocated, namely: No -more, war.