Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume VIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, January 1977–August 1978

225. Telegram From the Consulate in Jerusalem to the Department of State¹

Jerusalem, March 7, 1978, 1117Z

664. From Atherton. USDel No 72. Subj: Sadat’s Paper on West Bank/Gaza.

1. Following is text of paper on West Bank/Gaza Sadat handed me in our meeting on March 6.² Paper has been given to us on the understanding that it was strictly for our eyes only and not for conveying to Israel.

2. Begin text:

Basic guidelines for the solution of the Palestinian question.

The establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East necessitates a just solution of the Palestinian question, based on the following principles:

1. Withdrawal:

A. Israel shall withdraw from the West Bank, Jerusalem included, and from the Gaza Strip, occupied since June 1967, in accordance with the principle of the inadmissibility of acquisition of territories by war.

B. Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank shall be to the lines delineated by the Jordanian-Israeli Armistice Agreement of April 1949; Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip shall be to the lines delineated by the Egyptian-Israeli Armistice Agreement of February 1949.

C. Israeli withdrawal includes the settlements established by Israel in the occupied territories.

2. The legitimate rights of the Palestinian people:

A. The right to self-determination without external interference.

B. The right to return and, or, compensation to the Palestinian refugees of 1948 in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 194 of December 10, 1948.

C. The right of the displaced persons as a result of the 1967 war, to return, according to the Security Council Resolution No. 237 of 1967.³

3. Transitional arrangements:

A. There shall be a short transitional period leading to the exercise of the right of self-determination by the Palestinian people freely and without external interference.

B. During the transitional period, the United Nations will supervise the administration, with the participation of the representatives of the Palestinian people, and the representatives of Jordan with regard to the West Bank, and of Egypt with regard to the Gaza Strip.

C. The transitional period will end by a plebiscite under the United Nations supervision in which the Palestinian people shall determine its political future.

D. Egypt believes that a Palestinian state should have a link with Jordan.

4. Security arrangements and guarantees: Appropriate arrangements shall be established for the mutual guarantee of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the states concerned.

End text.

Newlin

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850056–2755. Secret; Immediate; Exdis (Handle as Nodis). Sent immediate for information to Cairo and Tel Aviv.
2. See Document 224.
3. U.N. Security Resolution 237, adopted on June 14, 1967, called on the Israeli Government to ensure the safety and facilitate the return of residents who had fled the fighting during the war.