 |
VOLUMES 4-5: 1977-1979
|
|
| |
| |
235. Statement by President Carter on the Middle East talks, 26 February 1979.
The Camp David II conference took place between 20-26 February. The U.S. urged Israel and Egypt to conclude a peace treaty as a matter of urgency in view of the changes taking place in the Middle East. But the parties failed to reach an agreement on the interpretation of the articles in dispute and the autonomy talks, with the exception of Article 4(4), on which agreement was reached. Egypt insisted on its previous demands, among them an Egyptian liaison office in Gaza, a target date for the conclusion of the autonomy talks and other items. Israel refused to accept these demands and rather than admit failure, Mr. Carter decided to invite Premier Begin for a summit conference with Premier Khalil and himself. President Carter read the following statement to the press:
During the past week, I, as President, have kept in close touch with the negotiations at Camp David, and Secretary Vance, Prime Minister Khalil and Foreign Minister Dayan have now given me a firsthand report on their talks. In the light of the developments in the talks at Camp David this past week, we are discussing with the two governments the possibility of moving these negotiations to the Head-of-Government level later this week. Prime Minister Begin would then represent Israel, and Prime Minister Khalil, who has been authorized by President Sadat to conclude the negotiations on behalf of Egypt, would represent Egypt. I would be going to Camp David with Prime Minister Begin and Prime Minister Khalil accompanied by Secretary Vance. Prime Minister Khalil is leaving this afternoon for Cairo for consultations. Foreign Minister Dayan is returning to Israel this evening to report to the Prime Minister and to the Cabinet. I am prepared to spare no effort in achieving the peace settlement foreseen in the Camp David accords reached last year. The other two partners in these negotiations share this determination.
|
|
| |