216. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Egypt and Israel1
65822. Subject: Joint Letter.
1. Secret-entire text
2. Following is final text of joint letter concerning West Bank/Gaza negotiations:
3. Begin quote:
[Page 751]The President, The White House
Dear Mr. President:
This letter confirms that Egypt and Israel have agreed as follows:
The Government of Egypt and Israel recall that they concluded at Camp David and signed at the White House on September 17, 1978, the annexed documents entitled ‘A Framework for Peace in the Middle East Agreed at Camp David’ and ‘Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty Between Egypt and Israel.’
For the purpose of achieving a comprehensive peace settlement in accordance with the above-mentioned frameworks, Egypt and Israel will proceed with the implementation of those provisions relating to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. They have agreed to start negotiations within a month after the exchange of the instruments of ratification of the peace treaty. In accordance with the ‘Framework for Peace in the Middle East,’ the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is invited to join the negotiations. The delegations of Egypt and Jordan may include Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip or other Palestinians as mutually agreed. The purpose of the negotiation shall be to agree prior to the elections on the modalities for establishing the elected self-governing authority (administrative council), define its powers and responsibilities, and agree upon other related issues. In the event Jordan decides not to take part in the negotiations, the negotiations will be held by Israel and Egypt.
The two governments agree to negotiate continuously and in good faith to conclude these negotiations at the earliest possible date. They also agree that the objective of the negotiations is the establishment of the self-governing authority in the West Bank and Gaza in order to provide full autonomy to the inhabitants.
Egypt and Israel set for themselves the goal of completing the negotiations within one year so that elections will be held as expeditiously as possible after agreement has been reached between the parties. The self-governing authority referred to in the ‘Framework for Peace in the Middle East’ will be established and inaugurated within one month after it has been elected, at which time the transitional period of five years will begin. The Israeli military government and its civilian administration will be withdrawn, to be replaced by the self governing authority, as specified in the ‘Framework for Peace in the Middle East.’ A withdrawal of Israeli armed forces will then take place and there will be a redeployment of the remaining Israeli forces into specified security locations.
This letter also confirms our understanding that the United States Government will participate fully in all stages of negotiations.
[Page 752]Sincerely Yours,
Mohammed Anwar El-Sadat
Menachem Begin. End quote.
4. Israelis wish to add footnote following signatures reading as follows: Quote: in each paragraph in which expression West Bank appears it is being and will be understood by the Government of Israel as Judea and Samaria. Unquote. Since Egyptians have been very insistent that letter be a joint one signed by both President Sadat and Prime Minister Begin, we need to include the footnote in a manner that will meet Israeli objective without directly associating Sadat with it. We propose to prepare the letter so that the signatures will be at the bottom of a page and the footnote will be on an attached page which the Egyptians can disregard if they wish. To avoid misunderstandings, the above footnote should be reflected in the letter as you deliver it to both governments.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840163–0868. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Hansell; cleared by Atherton and Joseph Hulings (S/S–O); approved by Saunders. Sent for information Immediate to the White House.↩