Letter to Six Congressional
Committee Chairmen on the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty
(April 2, 1979)
I am writing to you to urge your immediate attention
to the authorizing legislation and the 1979 supplemental appropriations
request I will soon be transmitting to implement the Peace Treaty between
Israel and Egypt. This supplemental request requires urgent enactment
prior to the likely consideration of other pending supplementals in
order to avoid delays which could threaten timely implementation of
the Treaty.
The legislation to be transmitted will provide $4.8
billion in special financial aid to the two countries over the next
three years. This will be in addition to ongoing regular programs of
military and economic assistance. Because much of the military financing
will take the form of guaranteed loans, requiring only fractional appropriations,
budget authority for the assistance package will be $1.47 billion. Estimated
budget outlays over the next four years will total $1.1 billion, with
$350 million occurring in 1979 and $315 million in 1980.
Within the $4.8 billion total for special aid, I am
proposing that $3 billion be made available to Israel in two components.
—The first provides $800 million in grants to
cover the direct costs of relocating two Israeli airbases now located
on territory to be returned to Egypt.
—The second provides $2.2 billion in foreign
military sales credit financing to Israel. These funds will finance
other Israeli relocation costs and some upgrading of force structure
consistent with the new territorial arrangements.
For Egypt, I am also proposing a two part aid package
totalling $1.8 billion.
—The larger component provides $1.5 billion in
military sales credit financing on the same terms offered to Israel.
It will help Egypt maintain a modern well equipped military force, and
play a responsible role in promoting stability and moderation in the
region.
—In addition, I will propose to provide Egypt
with $300 million of special economic aid loans under economic support
fund authorities. These funds will help meet Egypt's large development
needs and help satisfy the expectations of the Egyptian people for a
better life.
As you begin your consideration of these proposals,
I urge you to give particular attention to three elements which I can
personally assure you are critical.
—First, the proposed assistance is evenhanded.
The financing package I will request reflects a careful assessment of
the near-term burdens of the treaty balanced against the military and
economic circumstances of each country. Our future influence in the
Middle East depends on the perception by all affected countries that
we do not unfairly support any one country. Alteration of the proposed
amounts or terms of assistance to either Israel or Egypt could impair
this perception.
—Second, the amounts of aid proposed and the
terms offered are the result of a careful balancing of foreign policy
needs and fiscal policy constraints. Thus, while substantial U.S. assistance
is required to assure successful implementation of the Treaty, I have
made every effort to limit United States funding in light of our current
budgetary constraints and my desire to avoid imposing any unnecessary
burden on the U.S. taxpayer.
—Third, the proposed United States assistance
is a coherent, interrelated package which requires urgent congressional
action. Piecemeal treatment would threaten both evenhandedness and the
careful balance between foreign policy and budget requirements. Delay
in congressional action on the legislation could critically disrupt
the carefully negotiated timing for Treaty implementation.
I regard this initiative as the most important foreign
affairs proposal currently before the Congress. I am sure I can count
on your support for favorable and prompt congressional action.
Sincerely,
JIMMY CARTER
Sources: Public Papers of the President |