President Anwar Sadat of Egypt ended his two days of talks with President Reagan this morning, having established a friendly relationship with the new American President but apparently failing to convince Reagan to drop United States opposition to negotiations with the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Reagan in his farewell remarks stressed that “we are both anxious to ensure that the negotiating process stemming from the Camp David agreements will resume and succeed.” Reagan said he will continue this process when he meets later this year with other Middle East leaders.
The President noted that a “great deal” of the time of his discussions with Sadat was devoted to the Middle East peace process. “To be completely candid, I was a willing listener,” Reagan said.
SADAT APPEALS TO REAGAN
Although neither mentioned the PLO in their departure remarks today or during the welcoming ceremony yesterday, Sadat did make a personal appeal to Reagan for U.S. recognition of the PLO in his toast last night at a dinner given him and his wife, Jihan, by President and Mrs. Reagan.
Noting that the establishment of peace between Israel and Egypt would be a “model” for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, Sadat declared: “You can help this process of reconciliation, Mr. President, by holding a dialogue with the Palestinians through their representatives,” an apparent reference to the PLO. “This is certain to strengthen the forces of moderation among them. It would also undermine the designs of those who exploit the present state of affairs for their own self ends. It would be an act of statesmanship and vision.”
Sadat repeated his statement of the last several days that the willingness of the Palestinians to assent to the cease-fire in Lebanon and to uphold it, “is a turning point that should not escape our notice. In effect, it means that for the first time the Palestinians have come close to endorsing the peaceful solution.”
Sadat said that if “tangible progress” can be achieved on the Palestinian problem than Egypt and the United States can “confront the real challenges we face. They are challenges which involve the survival of many nations and the protection of the vital interests of the West.”
REAGAN HAS ACCOLADES FOR SADAT
Reagan did not deal with any specifics in his toast at the dinner last night. He praised Sadat as a “rare exception,” a foreign leader who has “truly captured the hearts of the American people.” He said that both Egyptians and Americans share a “love of freedom and independence.”
Reagan again last night called Sadat “a full partner in achieving our mutual goals” as he did today in a departure ceremony held at the north portico of the White House. It was held there because of a driving rain, a marked contrast to yesterdays welcoming ceremony in bright sunlight and 94 degree heat after which Sadat’s daughter, Nana, had to be hospitalized with jet lag and heat exhaustion.
Reagan said that the “respect” he had for Sadat before he met him “vastly increased” during their two days of talks. Sadat, who last night invited Reagan and his family to visit Egypt, said today that after his meeting at the White House, “I could say that I enjoy the friendship of President Reagan … a great leader of a
great nation.” Sadat said that he ends his visits to the U.S. with the promise,” I shall never let you down.”
A NUMBER OF ISSUES DISCUSSED
Reagan said today that in addition to discussing the Mideast process, he and Sadat also talked about the Soviet threat to the Middle East, including the activities of Soviet surrogates in the Near East, Southwest Asia, and Africa. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations Reagan said. “President Sadat shares our view that a strong defense and a strong economy goes hand in hand,” the U.S. President said.
Presumably, the bilateral discussions covered requests by Sadat for both military and economic aid, Sadat apparently continued these requests when he met with congressional leaders and with the Administration’s economic experts later today.
Although Sadat will be in Washington until Sunday, Reagan was scheduled to leave this afternoon for his California ranch. He will return Sept. 3, less than a week before he is scheduled to meet with Israeli Premier Menachem Begin.
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