With the world’s media focussed on his high risk initiative to establish peace between Egypt and Israel by personal persuasion, President Carter was scheduled to leave late today on his momentous journeys to Cairo and Jerusalem in what may be his final individual attempt to reach his goal.
Only hours before emplaning for Cairo, however, no definite assurances appeared to be forthcoming from President Anwar Sadat, or his principal aides, that they, like the Israeli government, would accept Carter’s latest proposals to bridge their differences. The latest official word from Cairo, received here, was a comment by Prime Minister Mustapha Khalil that the new Carter proposals were “positive,” but they might have to be modified to meet Egyptian requirements. ( Related story P.3.)
They have to be examined carefully,” Khalil was quoted as saying. “Some amendments may be introduced to them.” Khalil’s comment came after he and Sadat had studied the Carter proposals brought to the Egyptians from Washington yesterday by National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski and special U.S. Ambassador Alfred Atherton. The possibility that Carter may have to bring a revision to Jerusalem of the proposals that Israel has already accepted produced the feeling that Carter may remain in Jerusalem after visiting Cairo for a period of time beyond his scheduled departure Monday night while Secretary of State Cyrus Vance shuttles between Cairo and Jerusalem to work out compromises in details.
Carter Administration officials said this possibility was being considered on the basis of expectations that Sadat may refuse the altered language that Carter offered to Begin and which the Israeli Cabinet accepted by a vote of 9-3 with four abstentions.
Premier Menachem Begin of Israel said yesterday in New York that it was unrealistic to expect that the government of Israel would accept Egyptian amendments, which would require the peace treaty process going back to square one. He said the Israeli Cabinet accepted Carter’s proposals and would adhere to that position.
Two large aircraft carrying nearly 200 media personnel will travel to Cairo and Jerusalem to cover Carter’s journey that at this point may end in Jerusalem late Monday night but which the President may extend to obtain completion of peace treaty terms.
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