Nation: An Interview with Begin

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Despite the euphoria at the conclusion of the Camp David summit conference, there remained disagreement between Israeli Premier Menachem Begin and U.S. officials on several key elements of the accords. The Israeli leader discussed these and other issues in an exclusive interview with TIME. Highlights:

Q. Who had to give up the most?

A. Nobody gave up his principles at Camp David. The Israeli delegation stood by the principles of its peace plan, which is a good one. It was good when it was presented in December, and it is good now as well. We did not ask President Sadat to give up his principles.

Q. Didn't Sadat have to give in on his demand for the return of all Arab territories?

A. Well, I can't speak for President Sadat. What I do know is that it was agreed upon that the question of sovereignty in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip will be left open. This was the key to the agreement, because we—and I believe this with all my heart—have a right and a claim to sovereignty over Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip. But there are other claims. So our idea was: "Let us leave the question of sovereignty open—undecided —and let us deal with the human beings." The Palestinian Arabs will have autonomy, full autonomy. And we shall have security, mainly through the fact that Israeli defense forces will be stationed in Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip.

Q. What happens at the end of the five-year transition period?

A. We of course will say we claim sovereignty of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza district. Others will come and they will say we claim sovereignty. What can be the outcome? We can't say what kind of an agreement, but what we can stress is that at Camp David we sometimes had problems that seemed to be insoluble and we still resolved them, because this is the nature of human brains. [If] there is an agreement between the parties negotiating—then everybody will rejoice that there is an agreement. And if there is no agreement, the [present] arrangement for Palestinian autonomy and Israeli security will continue. So in either case nothing wrong can happen. Therefore, I am optimistic about the future.

Q. What was actually agreed on about the building of new settlements on the West Bank? The Americans say it was agreed that there would be no new settlements for the five years of the transition period.

A. I didn't give such a commitment. Yesterday in the White House I asked President Carter, "Mr. President, did I give you such a commitment about five years?" He said, "No, you didn't give me such a commitment."

There are some divergences of opinion about what was actually agreed upon on this issue. But as my two colleagues who were with me during the conversation with President Carter are now in Israel, I just have to consult them. I have my perception, and there is an American opinion which differs, but I can't do anything but to promise that I will compare notes with my friends who were present at the conversation.

Q. When you say "compare notes," do you mean literally that there is no official record?