115. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Egypt1

274418. Subject: Israeli Settlements Question and Next Steps in Washington Negotiation.

1. During early evening meeting2 October 27 with the Secretary Egyptian delegation advised us that Sadat and Khalil will meet at noon October 28 to decide whether to recall three senior members of Egyptian delegation for consultations in light of Israeli decision on settlements.3 Simultaneously, we learned that CBS was running story to effect that delegation was being recalled, apparently based on Reuters item attributed to Prime Minister Khalil, with authorization of Egyptian delegation, we informed media that Egyptian delegation had authorized us to say that question of whether they should return for consultations would be decided in Cairo Saturday4 but as of now no repeat no decision had been taken.

2. Secretary strongly urged delegation that it would be mistake for President Sadat to call them back. If Sadat did decide to do so, President Carter would want to talk to him first to advise against such a move. The Secretary also told Egyptians that at President’s lunch today for King Khalid, Prince Sultan had agreed that delegation should remain in Washington. Egyptian delegation undertook to report foregoing immediately to Cairo.

3. You should reinforce our views in this matter with President Sadat, stressing following additional points:

—President Carter has sent a strong message to Prime Minister Begin on the settlements question and we are still awaiting his reply.

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—We took initiative today to say publicly that we have determined in light of all the circumstances that no trilateral negotiations should take place today. In our view, which we have conveyed to Egyptian delegation, there should be no trilateral meetings for next few days while we deal with this issue.

—If Egyptian delegation were recalled, even if it were made clear this was for consultations with intention to return to Washington in a few days, onus for disruption of negotiations would shift in public mind to the Egyptians. Many would see a parallel with Sadat’s recall of his delegation from Jerusalem in January. As matters now stand, the focus is on Israeli decision with respect to the settlements and on our publicly declared position which makes clear we do not think this is the time to carry on business as usual.

—With respect to East Jerusalem issue, it is our clear impression that this was an idea that was floated in Israel and has now been put on ice. (The Secretary made this point also to the Egyptian delegation.)

Vance
  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Cables File, State Department Out, Box 113, 10/23–31/78. Secret; Sensitive; Cherokee; Niact Immediate; Stadis; Nodis. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted by Atherton; cleared by Stanislaus R.P. Valerga (S/S–O); approved by Saunders. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840153–2536)
  2. No other record of this meeting has been found.
  3. See footnote 2, Document 109. Khalil telephoned Eilts on the evening of October 28 to inform him that Sadat had decided to “postpone” the recall of the Egyptian delegation, adding that Sadat’s decision was “in response to President Carter’s direct request.” When asked by Eilts whether the Egyptian postponement had a time limitation, Khalil responded that this will “depend upon developments in the negotiations and on Israeli actions with respect to settlements expansion and East Jerusalem.” (Telegram 23813 from Cairo, October 28; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850067–2756)
  4. October 28.