Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume IX, Arab-Israeli Dispute, August 1978–December 1980, Second, Revised Edition

73. Memorandum of Conversation¹

Washington, September 28, 1978, 1:50–1:57 p.m.

SUBJECT

• Summary of Telephone Conversation Between President Carter and President Sadat

President Carter: Mr. President, I thank you for your support in the peace negotiations.

President Sadat: I value your contribution for peace. Without you nothing would have happened.

President Carter: How has the reception been in Egypt?

President Sadat: It is marvelous. It is as I expected.

President Carter: I was very grateful for the Knesset’s vote.

President Sadat: It was very good news indeed. It was a good vote.

President Carter: We want to conclude the peace treaty as soon as possible? How soon can talks begin?

President Sadat: The discussions could begin on October 12th.² October 6th is a special day in Egypt.³

President Carter: When are you going to discuss the terms of the agreements with the Saudis and Jordanians?

President Sadat: I will consult with them tomorrow.

President Carter: After you have your consultations, let me know the results through diplomatic channels.⁴ We will help to get their support.

President Sadat: I will keep you informed.

President Carter: We want to move as rapidly as possible after October 10th. If you have any messages send them directly to me. I hope we can resolve the place for the negotiations.

President Sadat: I have no preference at all. I will leave that to you.

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 11, Egypt: 9–12/78. Secret. Carter wrote on the top of the transcript, “Zbig—He also said he agreed with my proposals on Sinai issues relayed to him by Eilts. J.” The transcript was found attached to a September 28 covering memorandum from Quandt to Brzezinski bearing a handwritten notation that reads: “revised version hand carried to the President Sept 29.”
2. Carter underlined this sentence.
3. Reference is to Egypt’s Armed Forces Day, an annual holiday commemorating the successful crossing of the Suez Canal by Egyptian forces at the outset of the 1973 October War.
4. Eilts transmitted Sadat’s September 28 letter to Fahd, in which he explained Egypt’s actions at the Camp David Summit, in telegram 21918 from Cairo, September 30. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850067–2161)