After some delay, the Cairo conference finally was convened on 14 December with the participation of Israel, Egypt, the United States and a representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations. In the opening statements, the representatives of Israel and Egypt reiterated their country's position to do the utmost to reach a comprehensive peace, based among other things, on Resolution 242. Text of the statements by the representatives of Israel, Egypt and the U.S. follows:
ISRAEL/Eliahu Ben-Elissar
Mr. Chairman:
Yesterday my colleagues and I - the delegation of Israel - travelled from Jerusalem to Cairo. It was a unique experience. The flight was brief, but the journey of the spirit was infinite.
Looking down from our aircraft we saw a landscape embracing two ancient lands; two very old peoples; two civilizations; two historic neighbours: Egypt and Israel - names that are as old and as indestructible as the annals of mankind.
From the dawn of history our countries had been neighbours. We have shared common experiences, engaged in mutual commerce, and at times, defended ourselves against common enemies. Indeed, there were times in the past when we were attached by deep alliances.
Tragically we have lately been at war. Now after 30 years of conflict we meet again - Egypt and Israel - this time to begin preparing the peace. We come to renew an age-long relationship that for too long was interrupted by the nightmare of my own people's exile from its land and by the political and military strife of the last decades since the rebirth of our independence.
May God grant us all the wisdom to succeed in this great human and sacred venture for peace - for our own sakes, for the sake of our peoples, and, above all, for the sake of the generations to come.
Mr. Chairman:
At this time and in this place I wish, on behalf of my delegation, to express sincere appreciation to our host - the Arab Republic of Egypt - for the invitation and hospitality accorded us. We extend out thanks to the President, government and people of Egypt for the manner in which we have been received and for the courtesies extended to us. The facilities placed at our disposal will, I feel sure, contribute - in spirit and in substance to the purposes of the mission in which we are joined.
People of goodwill everywhere hope and pray for the success of our talks. Our deliberations have consequences that extend far beyond our two countries and our common region. We have to address ourselves to issues that have long awaited a table around which to sit and reason together.
It is this that brings us to Cairo - to talk, to reason and to conduct a dialogue in frankness and in mutual confidence.
If we wish to move from here towards peace nobody else can do the job for us. We, the countries involved in the conflict, can resolve the problems that have to be solved. If there is a lesson to be learned from our long dispute, it is that peace cannot be made by proxy.
It is for this reason that we regret the absence in this city, and from this table, of all those who should be with us today: representatives of Syria, Lebanon and Jordan and an appropriate delegation of Palestinian Arabs.
I declare this because the goal of the Government of Israel is a comprehensive agreement and not a separate agreement. It is a real Peace that we seek - peace with all our neighbours, to the south, the east and to the north.
Our goal is now to begin to translate the principles established in Security Council Resolution 242 into all the necessary elements of a peace treaty, namely: termination of the state of war, forever; establishment of diplomatic relations; commerce, international cooperation; use of international waterways; mutual assistance in all fields of national activity. It is proper that these goals be achieved at a reconvened Geneva conference.
The initial building blocks of reconciliation have been laid. Let us resolve to cement them into a firm foundation. Let us resolve that the absence of certain states from these talks will not be permitted to frustrate our sacred common effort for peace.
It is an axiom of our times that the Arab-Israel conflict has lasted too long. Seen in its historic context, it has been a tragic, wasteful and futile conflict. No future war can possibly change the permanent sovereign reality of our region:
The Jewish State of Israel is an integral and permanent part of the regional political reality. Thirty years ago, after having liberated our country from foreign rule in a heroic struggle of the few against the many, our national independence was proclaimed. That act meant the reconstitution of our statehood in the Land of Israel, the land of our forefathers. After two millennia of persecution and, ultimately, physical destruction we were reunited with the Land of Israel and with everything that is precious, sacred and permanent in our national life. The rebirth of Israel was the highest expression of human justice.
I believe that we share an intrinsic common sentiment rooted both in history and contemporary experience. In recent times both have had to struggle, fight and sacrifice for our freedom and independence. Since then we have both sought to build a better life for our people.
The eventual peace, cooperation and tranquillity of our ancient nations in our ancient region is as inevitable in the days to come as it was in the days of the past.
The profound vision that we have a common destiny was articulated by a prophet whose name our two faiths cherish. It was Isaiah who said:
"In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of Hosts has blessed, saying 'blessed be Egypt my people and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my heritage'."
Let us here renew the mutual pledge that was made in Jerusalem between the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, the vision of "no more bloodshed." This is the vision we have inherited from our common prophets, for years we have prayed for its realization.
Let us remind ourselves and the world of the Jeffersonian principle: "Enemies in war, in peace, friends." We want peace and we shall be friends.
EGYPT/Esmat Abdul-Meguid
Gentlemen:
On behalf of the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, I welcome you to the Cairo preparatory meeting for the Geneva Peace Conference. We are gathered here at an historic site which has witnessed 7,000 years of recorded history. Today we sincerely hope that we are witnessing the dawn of a new era for the region and for the whole world. The presence of the representative of the UN, as representing the international community, is of particular significance to our meeting. In point of fact, peoples and governments through the whole world are supporting in earnest our efforts to pave the way for the coming peace conference.
No one can forget that the people in this era in this area have been subjected to untold sorrow and miseries for 30 years. Lives have been sacrificed, blood has been shed. It is therefore high time to seize this opportunity and strive, with vision and a sense of responsibility, towards the achievement of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The Middle East conflict, and its core the Palestinian question, has reached a turning point when President Sadat urged Israel to join efforts for the speedy realization of just and comprehensive peace.
Egypt has launched a new era, an era free from the shackles of narrow-minded concepts and all other forms of psychological complexes. Unnecessary formalities have been sidestepped to open the path for a genuine endeavour to attain peace in conformity with the lofty principles of justice and international law. We have thus clearly proven that we are firmly committed to the establishment of genuine peace.
Let us not forget that peace is indivisible and that the absence of peace, the continuation of a state of no-war-no-peace, is a grave threat to world peace and security. The entire world community therefore earnestly hopes that Egypt's genuine desire to establish a just and lasting peace be reciprocated by the government of Israel.
Tangible and concrete results are expected and should be forthcoming without delay.
The edifice for peace should be established in accordance with international law, the purposes and principles of the UN charter and the relevant UN resolutions, including Security Council Resolution 242 which lays down the basic framework of the comprehensive settlement.
Actuated by these noble goals, President Sadat called for the convening of this preparatory informal meeting in order to prepare effectively for the Geneva conference so that the parties to the conflict would achieve what the whole world is yearning for.
We trust that the outcome of this meeting will lead to positive and constructive results and that we will all be able to avoid undue delays and unite our efforts to attain the just and comprehensive peace, now that we have transcended barriers of fear and mistrust.
In view of these monumental developments that followed the initiative of Egypt, we trust that we will be able to reach a clear objective and to live up to our peoples expectations and legitimate aspirations.
It is pertinent to emphasize that the invitations which have been extended to the other parties concerned, namely Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, the PLO and USSR are still standing and we do hope that they would participate in this preparatory stage for the Geneva peace conference. Their participation here will be most welcomed.
Before concluding, I wish to recall what President Sadat has said in the Knesset on November 20: "I have come to you on solid ground to build a new life and to establish peace."
Let us demonstrate in the clearest terms that we are determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and that our ultimate goal is the establishment of a comprehensive settlement whereby the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people are fully realized so that peace and justice may prevail once more in the Middle East.
U.S./Alfred Atherton
Mr. Chairman:
It is an honour to represent the United States on this historic occasion.
I would like first to extend congratulations to the governments of both Egypt and Israel whose commitment to peace has made it possible for this meeting to convene.
It is a particular pleasure to be sitting at this table today with friends from Egypt and Israel and with Gen. Siilasvuo.
We are ready to do whatever we can to facilitate, support and encourage the negotiations here to prepare the way for the Geneva Middle East peace conference and the achievement of comprehensive, just and durable peace in the Middle East.
For nearly 30 years the Middle East conflict has reaped a terrible harvest of lives, resources and energies of Arabs and Israelis alike. It is true that during this period there have been some steps forward: Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the convening of the Middle East peace conference in Geneva in 1973 and the conclusion of three limited agreements under the auspices of that conference, all testified to the increasing commitment by the parties to the search for a peaceful settlement.
Yet, in spite of this progress, the remaining psychological obstacles have imposed formidable barriers, as the attempt has been made this year to take the logical next step of opening negotiations for a final peace settlement at Geneva.
The momentous events of recent weeks have fundamentally altered that situation and have provided new hope that the objective of an overall settlement can in fact be achieved. With one bold stroke President Sadat has broken through the barrier and imparted new momentum toward peace. With farsightedness and statesmanship, Prime Minister Begin has responded in a manner that makes it clear that Israel, for its part, does not intend to allow this unique opportunity to be lost. These two strong and creative leaders have brought about a change in attitudes both in Israel and in the Arab countries, and today solutions, a month ago considered unattainable, have been suddenly brought within the realm of possibility.
Today few nations in the world would challenge the proposition that these developments have created a unique opportunity for successful negotiations leading to peace in the Middle East. The idea of peace has captured the imagination and ignited the hopes of a war-weary region. The government leaders who are charged with the responsibility, as well as the challenge of negotiating, can do so with the confidence that there is today an overwhelming public constituency in the region for peace.
All of us in this room would agree that we must not allow the momentum of these events to be lost. President Sadat has called this meeting to prepare for a reconvening of the Geneva conference, the objective of which remains the negotiation, among all the parties to the conflict, of a final peace settlement on the basis of Resolutions 242 and 338. I must record my government's regret that others invited to this meeting have felt unable to accept the invitation to attend. Ultimately I believe those absent will see that the process begun here is in their benefit. We are all agreed the door remains open for others to join at any time.
My government - indeed each of the governments represented here - has emphasized on numerous occasions that our objective is the negotiation of a comprehensive peace settlement. Central to my government's policy over the years is the concept that this peace can only be achieved through negotiations between the parties. Security Council Resolution 242 established the principles for those negotiations. Resolution 338, which made a convening of the conference in Geneva possible, established the process. We have always held the view that wherever and whenever the parties can start talking with one another, it is in the spirit of that mandate.
We see the discussions getting under way today in Cairo as an integral reconvening of the Geneva conference and the negotiation of a comprehensive peace. We do not agree that these proceedings are contradictory to the Geneva conference.
In calling for this preparatory meeting, President Sadat has indicated two basic objectives: making progress toward resolving the substantive problems, and overcoming the remaining unresolved procedural obstacles to a Geneva conference. We believe these are realistic and obtainable goals, and that valuable work can be done here. We will do everything we can to help the two parties make progress. It is for them to define in the first instance the subject matter of these discussions, but we will remain available to offer counsel, suggestions, or any other assistance the parties may feel they need.
We are opening these talks at a unique moment. All of us here must not only hope we have reached a turning point in history but also must make our contribution to ensure that it will indeed prove to be a lasting turning point. The leaders of our respective governments - and our peoples - are expecting us to achieve solid results at this meeting and we should not fail them.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, I hope you will permit me to indulge in a brief personal reflection. For many years I have laboured, on behalf of my government and with countless colleagues - some of whom have given their lives in the conflict - to help our Arab and Israeli friends find a breakthrough to peace. I have shared and, I think, have acquired some understanding of the agonies both sides experience as they face decisions fateful for the futures of their peoples - and, indeed, for the world. It is a great personal satisfaction to be part of these talks which hold out so much hope that the long-sought breakthrough has been achieved. The negotiation of deeply-rooted differences involving vital national interests is never a smooth or easy task, and we can expect moments of discouragement. These must and can be overcome, however, if the governments we serve, and we personally, keep before us the vision we all share today of a peaceful and prosperous Middle East. My government is fully dedicated to that vision.