Word: beginnings
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...Carter flew off from Andrews Air Force Base, after a surprisingly successful White House meeting with Israeli Premier Menachem Begin, he had no advance assurance that his trip would not lead to an embarrassing failure. It thus entailed major political risks, both for the nations involved and for Carter personally. If he had to return home without having brought Cairo and Jerusalem substantially closer to agreement, he could be criticized for unwisely raising expectations, for wasting U.S. influence, and for improvising showy moves without any serious plan behind them. Said a Washington-based European diplomat: "It is extremely risky...
...Sunday night, after 6½ hours of talks in Jerusalem with Begin and senior members of his cabinet, the payoff on Carter's gamble was still in doubt. "A treaty is within our grasp," the President had told Egypt's parliament Saturday. Sadat agreed, saying that "we have had a very fruitful talk." But both leaders cautioned that some issues remained unresolved as Carter headed for Israel. Arriving there just as the Jewish Sabbath was ending, he was greeted at Ben-Gurion Airport by President Itzhak Navon and Premier Begin, who gave him a warm embrace. Said Carter: "I have good...
...chances are good that America's military commitment to the Middle East would be increased. During his Washington visit Begin suggested, for example, that the U.S. might consider making use of the Sinai airbase at Etzion, which Israel, under the peace terms, would have to turn over to the Egyptians. U.S. officials quickly distanced themselves from any such idea, but that may have been chiefly a diplomatic courtesy, since a deal on the base would have to be discussed with Egypt rather than Israel. While Sadat so far opposes any foreign bases in the Sinai, he might conclude that some...
...Navy might use the bases at Alexandria or Haifa or both. U.S. officials believe that Egypt and Israel would welcome the move. Another military option would be for Washington to sign separate mutual defense treaties with Egypt and Israel. Carter informally raised the idea in his talks with Begin, who approved, but neither side pressed the point...
...calmly awaited Begin's reaction. To everyone's surprise, the Israeli seemed much impressed. He studied the single-page draft for several minutes and then said he would "consider these proposals seriously." The Americans looked at each other in astonishment. Said one later: "It was the best news we had heard in a long time." Said another: "We had absolutely no rational reason to presume that Begin would be receptive...