Former President Jimmy Carter arrived here today on his first visit to Israel since 1979 when his personal diplomacy helped edge Israel and Egypt toward their peace treaty. Energy Minister Yitzhak Modal paid tribute to those efforts when he greeted Carter on behalf of the government at Ben Gurion Airport this morning.
Referring to the fact that the former President flew to Israel directly from Cairo, Modai observed that “whereas our forefathers travelled the same route in 40 years, nowadays the same route can be travelled in a one hour direct flight–thanks to you, Mr. President.”
Carter, on a private tour of the Middle East, is in Israel as the guest of Premier Menachem Begin. Although his most recently published book contains some unflattering references to Begin during the Camp David negotiations in 1978, Carter was full of praise for his host today.
“I am looking forward to my conversation with Premier Begin,” he said. “I particularly want to pay my tribute to him, as I did in Egypt to President (Anwar) Sadat and President (Hosni) Mubarak, as a man who is searching for peace and who has exhibited great courage in the past to move the first steps towards a comprehensive peace.”
Carter met with Begin at the Knesset this afternoon and will be his guest at dinner this evening. All Israeli officials who participated in the Camp David meetings five years ago have been invited.
Carter also met today with Knesset Speaker Menachem Savidor. Carter reportedly said that Israel’s relations with Egypt would improve immediately once the Israel army leaves Lebanon. Carter said he did not necessarily link the two issues but “the fact is, they are linked.”
Carter is scheduled to hold meetings with Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir, Defense Minister Moshe Arens, Shimon Peres, chairman of the opposition Labor Party, and with Palestinian leaders from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Carter confirmed today that he had met with two PLO officials during his visit in Egypt, but declined to identify them.
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