Remarks Following Meeting with Israeli PM Menachem Begin
(November 13, 1980)
THE PRESIDENT. Well, to continue a long and very fruitful
series of meetings between myself and Prime Minister Begin, we've had
a chance this morning to review the progress that has been made, both
in our bilateral relationships in bringing peace to the Middle East.
This has been one of the most difficult, time-consuming, but one of
the most gratifying experiences that I've had as President.
In my judgment there is a general recognition in our
two countries and, indeed, around the world, of the close interrelationship
between our two nations that is unshakable. It's predicated not on the
identity of particular leaders, but on the strong feelings shared among
the people of the two countries. Also, in our Nation I think there has
been a greatly enhanced realization of the strategic value to our country
of a strong and a peaceful and a democratic nation in Israel in a troubled
region of the Middle East. Internationally, also, the end of 30 or 32
years of war between Israel and Egypt has been a very gratifying development.
We have assessed this morning the prospects for future
progress. Prime Minister Begin and I have shared the reminder to ourselves
and, hopefully, to expand to the world that the Camp David accords and
the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt are solemn documents, committed
on the honor of our Nation, on a permanent basis, signed by the leaders
of the three nations with ourselves as witnesses, and we consider these
to be permanently binding on us as a prospect for peace unfolds in the
future. We also are well aware that there is no viable alternative extant
to the continuation of the Camp David peace talks, and we are committed
to that prospect and to that process.
There is no doubt that there will be delays in the
future and frustrations, problems to be faced. I think the extreme political
and personal courage exhibited by Prime Minister Begin and by President
Sadat has been the foundation of the progress that we have made, and
I'm deeply grateful to Prime Minister Begin for that exhibition of leadership
on his part.
We have a permanent commitment to the peace and security
of Israel. The ties that bind our two nations together are very strong,
and I'm doubly grateful for the contributions that Prime Minister Begin
has made to this process and to this achievement.
I'd like to ask Prime Minister Begin to comment briefly
if he would, expressing, again, my sincere gratitude to him and on behalf
of the American people my gratitude and my commitment to the further
enhancement of the relationships that exist between our two countries,
which are already very strong and mutually beneficial.
Prime Minister Begin?
THE PRIME MINISTER. Thank you, Mr. President.
I am very grateful to the President for his invitation
to come and meet with him in the White House, although my visit to the
United States this time is of a private character. We had a friendly
discussion, as always, and may I share with you my personal feeling
this time.
I am deeply impressed by this shining example of a
true democrat given by the President. He proved what is the beauty of
democracy, and how he took the decision by his free people, the citizens
of the United States—I am still under the impression of this gracious
acceptance of the decision of the American people. And it will be an
example not only for future generations in this country but also for
many other nations.
At the same time as I cabled to the President after
the election I expressed to him on behalf of the people and Government
of Israel our gratitude for all he has done during the tenure to strengthen
and fortify the security of Israel and his incessant efforts to bring
about peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors, which were crowned
by the Camp David agreement and the peace treaty between Israel and
Egypt, a turning point in the annals of the Middle East.
Now, both the President and I share the same view that
the Camp David agreement is a binding treaty which should be carried
out. We believe that it is a commitment, a sacred trust. We found a
way to make peace between the two countries, Egypt and Israel. We have
to find a way to bring into realization the agreement on the full autonomy
for the Palestinian Arabs in Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza district.
It took some time. It may take some time. We have to be patient, because
it's an historic conflict; it didn't start yesterday; it may not finish
tomorrow. We made great progress; we shall make it also in the future.
And therefore in this direction we shall continue our efforts, namely
to be faithful to what we achieved, written, and signed at Camp David
and carry out the commitments all the three countries took upon themselves
in accordance with that international treaty.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT. Fine. Thank you.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |