- Joint Letter from President Sadat and Prime Minister Begin to President Carter
March 26, 1979
The President The White House
Dear Mr. President,
This letter confirms that Israel and Egypt have agreed as follows:
The Governments of Israel and Egypt 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 Israel and
Egypt."
For the purpose of achieving a comprehensive peace settlement in accordance with the above-mentioned
Frameworks, Israel and Egypt 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 as mutually agreed. The purpose of the negotiations 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.
Israel and Egypt 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 Israel 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withdrawn, to be replaced by the self-governing authority, as specified in the "Framework for Peace in the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.
Yours sincerely,
For the Government
of Israel
Menachem Begin
For the Government of the
Arab Republic of Egypt
Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat
- Letter from President Carter to Prime Minister Begin about the Deployment of a UN or an Alternate
Multinational Force
March 26, 1979
His Excellency Menachem Begin,
Prime Minister of the State of Israel
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
I wish to confirm to you that subject to United States Constitutional processes:
In the event of an actual or threatened violation of the Treaty of Peace between Israel and Egypt, the
United States will, on request of one or both of the Parties, consult with the Parties with respect thereto
and will take such other action as it may deem appropriate and helpful to achieve compliance with the
Treaty.
The United States will conduct aerial monitoring as requested by the Parties pursuant to Annex I of the
Treaty. The United States believes that the Treaty provision for permanent stationing of United Nations
personnel in the designated limited force zone can and should be implemented by the United Nations
Security Council. The United States will exert its utmost efforts to obtain the requisite action by the
Security Council. If the Security Council fails to establish and maintain the arrangements called for in the
Treaty, the President will be prepared to take those steps necessary to ensure the establishment and
maintenance of an acceptable alternative multinational force.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Carter
- Exchange of Letters between President Carter and Prime Minister Begin Regarding the Exchange of
Ambassadors between Egypt and Israel
March 26, 1979
His Excellency Menachem Begin
Prime Minister of the State of Israel
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
I have received a letter from President Sadat that, within one month after Israel completes its withdrawal
to the interim line in Sinai, as provided for in the Treaty of Peace between Egypt and Israel, Egypt win
send a resident ambassador to Israel and will receive in Egypt a resident Israeli ambassador.
I would be grateful if you will confirm that this procedure will be agreeable to the Government of
Israel.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Carter
March 26, 1979
The President,
The White House
Dear Mr. President,
I am pleased to be able to confirm that the Government of Israel is agreeable to the procedure set out in
your letter of March 26, 1979, in which you state:
"I have received a letter from President Sadat that, within one month after Israel completes its withdrawal
to the interim line in Sinai, as provided for in the Treaty of Peace between Egypt and Israel, Egypt will
send a resident ambassador to Israel and will receive in Egypt a resident Israeli ambassador."
Sincerely,
Menachem Begin
