Seventh Message to Congress
Transmitting a Report on U.S. Sinai Support Mission
(May 1, 1979)
To the Congress of the United States:
I am pleased to transmit herewith the Seventh Report
of the United States Sinai Support Mission. It covers the Mission's
activities during the sixth-month period ending April 1, 1979 in fulfillment
of obligations assumed by the United States under the Basic Agreement
signed by Egypt and Israel on September 4, 1975. This Report is provided
to the Congress in conformity with Section 4 of Public Law 94-110 of
October 13, 1975.
The Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty signed in Washington
on March 26, 1979, which supersedes the 1975 Basic Agreement, calls
for the United States to continue its monitoring responsibilities in
the Sinai until Israeli armed forces withdraw from areas east of the
Giddi and Mitla Passes. This withdrawal is to be completed within nine
months from the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification.
In the meantime, the United States will continue to discharge its responsibilities
in the Sinai in the same objective and balanced manner that has characterized
the operations of the Mission since its inception in early 1976.
This year, funding of the Sinai Support Mission is
authorized under Chapter 6, Part II of the Foreign Assistance Act, "Peacekeeping
Operations". Careful control over program costs is expected to
reduce expenditures by at least $500,000 below the amount appropriated
for Fiscal Year 1979.
The Mission will be closed sometime next year, thus
completing a successful U.S. initiative begun over three years ago.
All Americans may be justly proud of the U.S. contribution to peacekeeping
in the Sinai, and I know the Congress will continue its support of the
Mission until the end of this important phase in the search for peace
in the Middle East.
JIMMY CARTER
The White House,
May 1, 1979.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |