Begin Expresses Hope That the Summit Meeting Will Provide Break Through

Premier Menachem Begin interrupted the first day of a weeklong vacation today to announce his acceptance of President Carter’s invitation to join with Carter and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat at a summit conference at Camp David Sept. 5. Begin announced his acceptance at a hurriedly-called press conference at which he also expressed hope that the talks would provide a breakthrough in the current negotiations impasse that would lead to peace in the Middle East.

The Premier expressed warm thanks to Secretary of State Cyrus Vance who arranged the meeting during his visit to Israel on Sunday and to Egypt yesterday. It was disclosed that Vance was carrying personal letters to Begin and Sadat but their content was not disclosed until the Sept. 5 meeting was announced today in Washington.

Begin said Vance asked for a private talk Sunday at which he presented Begin with Carter’s handwritten letter containing the invitation. Begin told the press conference: “I gave my consent to the meeting, knowing the attitude of the government. I was asked to keep the invitation a secret until the attitude of the Egyptians was know.” He added he did keep the secret and “if there were any leakages, they were from Washington.”

Begin apologized for keeping such news secret for three days. He expressed satisfaction over the fact that Sadat had accepted the Carter initiative. He praised Vance for succeeding “in this very delicate diplomacy” and he hailed Carter for his initiative. Begin said that as soon as he read Carter’s invitation, he cabled his acceptance to the White House.

DENIES CHANGE IN ISRAEL’S POSITION

In reply to questions, Begin denied rumors that Israel had made any changes in its negotiating position. He commented that if Egyptian officials had said Israel had made any changes, “they know even less than you journalists. “He also denied that Vance has asked Israel to change its position.

Begin was asked how he felt about Sadat, who in recent weeks has publicly insulted him. The Premier said he had “a soft spot” in his heart for Sadat since the Egyptian leader made his historic visit last November to Jerusalem. Begin said he kept “in my heart” a friendly feeling for Sadat for saying in November to Begin, “You are my friend.” Begin said no incidents or hard words could eliminate his friendly sentiments in such a short time. Begin added that “what has happened, has happened” and that “one should know how to open a new page. Let us hope that at Camp David a new page will be opened.”