Sadat Praises European Initiative in Mideast but Affirms Egypt’s Intention to Adhere to Camp David

Egyptian President Anwar Sadat today praised European diplomatic initiatives saying they can play “a positive role in the search for global peace in the Middle East.” Sadat was speaking before the European Parliament on which the 10 European Economic Community (EEC) member states are represented.

The Egyptian President said that the recent joint declaration on the Middle East, issued last December in Luxembourg, shows “that Europe wants to play a role of its own. “He added that this role should be in “bringing about a mutual recognition of Israel and the Palestinians. Such a recognition would develop into the creation of a Palestinian entity, an important stepping stone in the peace process.”

Sadat, who was widely applauded throughout his address, said Egypt is determined to go ahead with the peace process started at Camp David and will do so “whatever the difficulties and stumbling blocks it might have to face.”

The Egyptian President’s speech clearly indicated that Egypt favors a European initiative on condition that it does not run contrary to the Camp David agreements and is synchronized with Cairo and Washington.

SAYS U.S. HOLDS TRUMP CARDS

Egyptian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Butros Ghali yesterday told French Radio that the European initiative should be part of the overall American policy. Ghali implied that in Egypt’s view America still holds, and will continue to hold for a long time, the trump cards in the Middle East peace process.

Sadat, who conferred today with Parliament President Simone Veil; the President of the EEC Ministerial Council, Dutch Foreign Minister Christoph van der Klaauw; and Commission chairman Gaston Thorn who is also Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, is due to leave for Paris tomorrow. He will meet with French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing.