MIDDLE EAST: Sadat: The Hour of Decision

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The difference in the Dayan-Begin approach was apparent in the private conversations that Israeli leaders had with Sadat, starting at a working lunch Sunday a few hours before the Egyptian President spoke to the Knesset. The location was the King David Hotel. Sadat, who customarily eats a late breakfast and skips lunch, sipped juice and coffee while the five other participants—Begin, Dayan, Deputy Premier Yigael Yadin, Sadat Aide Hassan Kamel and Egyptian Socialist Liberal Party Leader Mustafa Kamel Murad—ate heartily. Once pleasantries were over, Dayan was the first to talk about substance: "Let's hear what you expect from us."

Sadat: Moshe, this is not the way to do it. You tell me what is possible and what is impossible from your point of view.

Dayan (after receiving Begin's permission to proceed): We cannot live side by side with an independent Palestinian state, and we cannot carry out 100% withdrawal from the territories. This does not mean Israeli sovereignty over those areas, you understand, but these details can be discussed later.

Sadat: No, no. I would like to hear the details too.

Begin (smiling): If we enter into specific details, it will mean that these are our concessions and you will start the negotiations from these points.

Sadat (laughing): Gentlemen, we have to start somewhere. I am ready to be honest and keep those detailed ideas to myself and not use them in future negotiations. But honestly, I would like to hear your points of view.

Dayan: Let's not commit ourselves.

These are private ideas which do not involve the Israeli Cabinet.

Begin: No. Every private idea at this level is an official opinion. Moshe must give you general ideas, without specifics.

The two sides met again at the King David for a larger, more formal dinner after Sadat and Begin had delivered their speeches to the Knesset. By then there was a slight chill of disappointment around the table; the Israelis were disappointed that Sadat had not offered them something new. The President and the Premier, seated side by side, conversed diffidently; Sadat finally sought Dayan's attention but discovered he was seated on the one-eyed Foreign Minister's blind side. In friendly fashion, Sadat literally turned Dayan around to face him. They started a new conversation about continuing lines of communication; it eventually led to the concept of working committees, referred to obliquely in Begin's communiqué.

Sadat continued the discussion in a two-hour private discussion with Begin. Remarked the Egyptian President at one point: "We've always had a Kissinger between us. I'm happy to see that we get along so well without dear Henry." In none of the talks did Sadat show any interest in bilateral negotiations that might lead to a separate peace settlement. That, he said, "would split the Arab world and put Egypt and myself in an impossible position."