Word: sadat
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Saudis. The Saudis are a force for moderation and stability. They have a real commitment to the West and to the peace process, with certain provisos concerning Palestinian rights. I was frustrated that they did not have the confidence to say publicly, "Let us support Sadat and Camp David. We approve of Jordan and the Palestinians negotiating just to see if Israel is acting in good faith." That has not happened...
Despite my efforts to the contrary, expectations had built up to a fever pitch. My only hope was that in the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of our temporary home, both Begin and Sadat would come to know and understand each other better, and that they would trust me to be honest and fair in my role as mediator and active negotiator. It was soon to be obvious that Sadat seemed to trust me too much, and Begin not enough...
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5. Rosalynn helped me greet President Sadat in the early afternoon. His wife Jehan had to remain in Paris to be with one of their grandchildren, who was ill. I had particularly wanted the three wives to be with us to ease some of the tension and create a more congenial atmosphere. There was no compatibility at all between Begin and Sadat...
...Sadat would be much more willing to strive for a comprehensive agreement, while Begin would probably want to limit what might be achieved, because he was more satisfied with the status quo and was very leery about giving up any control over the West Bank or the Israeli settlement area in the Sinai. Sadat was strong and bold, very much aware of world opinion and of his role as the most important leader among the Arabs. I always had the impression that he looked on himself as inheriting the mantle of authority from the great pharaohs...
...Sadat was impatient with the weakness of others and frequently derided some of his fellow leaders in the Middle East, but at least he respected Begin's strength and courage. Nevertheless, Sadat also seemed somewhat impatient with Begin, distrustful of him. Determined to succeed, he was therefore inclined to form a partnership with me in opposition to Begin. His first preference was obviously a settlement; his second, an agreement with me that would be so good for Israel that Begin would be condemned if he rejected...