President Carter called President Anwar Sadat of Egypt today “the world’s foremost peace-maker” and both leaders pledged to each other to maintain “close” contact for the achievement of their joint goal of a permanent peace in the Middle East.
They exchanged remarks of appreciation of each other at a formal farewell ceremony on the White House lawn as Sadat concluded his six-day Washington visit. He and Mrs. Sadat fly to London tonight.
Speaking first, President Carter said that he had explained to Sadat and that Sadat “understands” the “deep concern” of the U.S. and its commitment to Israel’s security and that Sadat “shares” that feeling. He said he and Sadat had agreed to work “closely and personally together” in the peace-making process which, Carter said, is guided by United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 “on all the fronts.”
In that connection, Carter said, “a just solution to the Palestinian question is essential.” He said the pathway to peace will be “difficult” and “we understand clearly the stake involved.”
In response, Sadat said he came to Washington “disheartened and discouraged” but after his talks with President Carter and Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, “I shall return to my country with much more perseverance for reaching peace.”
Referring to joint U.S.-Egyptian efforts “since Nov. 1973”–immediately following the Yom Kippur War–Sadat said, “By God’s will we shall achieve our targets in the establishment of permanent peace.” He expressed “deep gratitude” to President and Mrs. Carter and to the American people for their hospitality and declared, “I shall never fail you.”
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