The Israeli delegation to Sadat's funeral consisted of Mr. Begin, the defense, foreign and interior ministers. After the funeral, they met with President Mubarak, who succeeded Sadat, and heard from him his commitment to the peace process. Mr. Begin felt that there was no danger to the stability of the Egyptian regime. While in Cairo he also met with Secretary of State Haig to discuss the new realities in the Middle East created by Sadat's death. Text of the Prime Minister's statement and excerpts from the press conference follow:
It was a human mission that became a national visit. My colleagues and I went to Cairo in order to pay tribute and take part in the funeral of President Sadat. We did it for human reasons. President Sadat was my friend, my dear friend. We had many meetings. During our last meetings we really opened our hearts to each other and we told each other things which I perhaps will never publish as he is unable to publish them any more. And of course it was our duty to pay tribute to the man who signed the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
And then we experienced a unique attitude of the Sadat family, of the widow, Mrs. Jehan, who is a personality in her own right, a great, sweet and dear human being. Those who came to console her, she rather consoled them. And such were the words we heard yesterday from her: "I was always afraid that I will lose him. But God is stronger than those who killed him and he gave his life for peace, and peace will continue."
Unforgettable words, at a moment of mourning and sorrow, by a loving wife. And so the children said, as Gamal, the son of President Sadat said to us, "He died standing on his feet." It was all very moving indeed. And today, during the funeral, we met with representatives of scores of countries from all over the world. There were 90 delegations -kings, princes, presidents, prime ministers, presidents and members of parliaments, etc. We had our exchanges of opinion with the three former presidents of the United States, with the former president of France, with, the President of France, Monsieur Mitterrand, with the King of the Belgians, with Prince Charles, and many other prime ministers and foreign ministers.
Of course, not only time was limited by the occasion, that was unique and specific and sad. We could only exchange a few words but they were very weighty. Yet, during the 33 hours of our sojourn in Cairo, it became also a national visit. Our Egyptian friends and hosts did not stop to express their gratitude that we, the Israelis, paid that visit, that we decided to participate in the funeral of their great leader and president, who succumbed to an attack on his life. And they said so in the most moving words, and especially again when we took leave of the widow and the bereaved children, and again saw Mrs. Sadat, the son and the daughters and their husbands, we again felt the warmth-of their feelings.
And so it was an investment in the future relations between the Israeli and Egyptian people, an investment in human understanding, in friendship, in a common human reaction to a horrifying, a sorrowful and unforgettable event.
Q: Mr. Prime Minister, are you satisfied that despite the assassination of President Sadat, the man with whom you had a personal contact, despite this, the peace process between Israel and Egypt will continue?
A: I am convinced that the peace process will continue. President-elect Mubarak said so yesterday to the "Ma'ariv" correspondent and yesterday my colleagues, the Foreign Minister, Defense Minister and Interior Minister and I myself had a long talk with him. Part of it we held privately. And we touched mainly on the problem of the continuation of the peace process, and there was no doubt in the minds of either of us that this is going to be the fact, namely, all the meetings already fixed during the lifetime of President Sadat will take place. First of all, the meeting about the autonomy will take place on the 25th of October as planned, and other normalization meetings, and so therefore we don't have any doubt that the peace process will continue.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your talks with Secretary of State Haig?
A: We had a long talk. We are good friends. We had many problems to deal with. Inter alia, of course, we talked about the arms deal with Saudi Arabia. But I would rather not disclose the details. You can even define probably whatever I said and whatever the secretary answered. And then we touched also on other problems, first of all on the situation created in the Middle East as a result of the assassination of President Sadat. It's a dangerous situation admittedly. We have to watch it very carefully. And we shall.
Q: Mr. Prime Minister, a report on Israel radio said today that among the things you discussed with Mr. Mubarak was coordinating Israeli-Egyptian moves against Libya. Can you tell us anything on this score?
A: I have great respect for Israel Radio. But not always can I say that they are reporting truthfully about certain situations.
Q: Mr. Prime Minister, although you say you're not at liberty to give out details of your discussions, can you tell us if anything new of a substantive nature was discussed with Secretary of State Haig about the Middle East situation?
A: Yes, I can say that some new problems were raised. But I cannot report to you about them. You know what will happen if I do? You will report it immediately on A.B.C., and then the Kol Yisrael will report it again, and then there may be some inaccuracies. I don't say because of whom.
Q: Mr. Prime Minister, there's a lot of concern in Israel about the stability of the regime in Egypt under Sadat. You've just come back from Egypt. Can you say anything about that?
A: No, I wouldn't say there is reason to believe in the instability of the regime. We found a government very sad, because it became bereaved. President Sadat was a great leader, no doubt, and his ministers liked to listen to him, respected him very highly, and the people supported him. So of course it's a great tragedy. But we found a strong government, a government which keeps control. Of course everybody knows what happened in Asyut, in Upper Egypt. They have the country under control. It is absolutely quiet in Cairo. Nothing which proves any disorders at all. Now, on Tuesday, the Egyptian people will have their new president, on Wednesday he will be sworn in. The period of the interregnum will be very short, only a few days, although the constitution allows for sixty days, so there is reason to believe that they will overcome. They have something very serious to overcome - a great tragedy happened to the Egyptian people. Yes indeed, but they will overcome, so I believe.
Q: Might it help them overcome - are you looking for more United States involvement in the furthering of the peace process - talks and that sort of thing?
A: The United States is a full participant in the peace process. No help from this point of view is needed to make sure that the Government of Egypt after President Sadat will continue with his tradition and also with the peace process itself. We are all friends and we shall sit together on the 25th of this month, Americans, Israelis, and Egyptians, and try to find the best way how to make progress.
Q: Can you tell us something about ... the president-designate of Egypt ... ?
A: I can tell you that he said to me what I said to him, in a mutual fashion: The peace process will continue ... There was a very simple, human moment, which I would not hesitate to call very dramatic too, when the President-elect, Mr. Mubarak and myself extended our hands to each other, and said the same words: "Peace forever". Of course we ourselves are mortal. We cannot guarantee anything forever. We meant that we will try to make a peace that our children and grandchildren can inherit ... I can respond with complete mutuality to president-elect Mr. Mubarak, who called me "My friend, Mr. Begin". Thus I reply - "My friend Mr. Hosni Mubarak".