(4 of 35)
I directed our negotiating group to assume as our immediate ambition a written agreement for peace between Egypt and Israel, with an agenda for implementation of its terms during the succeeding months. I was convinced that if we three leaders could not resolve the very difficult issues, some of which had never before been addressed forthrightly, then no group of foreign ministers or diplomats could succeed. I had no idea whether we would succeed. I only knew that we were at a turning point and that the stakes were very high. Our plans called for us to stay three days, but we were willing to stay as long as a week if we were making progress.
Despite my efforts to the contrary, expectations had built up to a fever pitch. My only hope was that in the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of our temporary home, both Begin and Sadat would come to know and understand each other better, and that they would trust me to be honest and fair in my role as mediator and active negotiator. It was soon to be obvious that Sadat seemed to trust me too much, and Begin not enough.
It is not easy now to describe my own feelings as the meeting approached. Without being melodramatic, perhaps I can draw a parallel to the attitude of many servicemen who go into battle, or the feeling of some of my shipmates and me while we served in the submarine force. There was a curious fatalism about the process. Much of the pain and trepidation comes when the original commitment is made, and one has to accept the prospect of serious danger or failure. Subsequently, each passing day can be enjoyed with a sense of thanksgiving that one is spared.
Camp David is truly beautiful, with the cottages and paths snuggled on top and down one side of a small mountain, sheltered by a thick growth of stately oak, poplar, ash, locust, hickory and maple trees. A security fence encompasses about 125 acres of rocky terrain, and the close proximity of the living quarters engenders an atmosphere of both isolation and intimacy, conducive to easing tension and encouraging informality.
Day 1: No compatibility at all
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5. Rosalynn helped me greet President Sadat in the early afternoon. His wife Jehan had to remain in Paris to be with one of their grandchildren, who was ill. I had particularly wanted the three wives to be with us to ease some of the tension and create a more congenial atmosphere. There was no compatibility at all between Begin and Sadat.
Sadat would be much more willing to strive for a comprehensive agreement, while Begin would probably want to limit what might be achieved, because he was more satisfied with the status quo and was very leery about giving up any control over the West Bank or the Israeli settlement area in the Sinai. Sadat was strong and bold, very much aware of world opinion and of his role as the most important leader among the Arabs. I always had the impression that he looked on himself as inheriting the mantle of authority from the great pharaohs and was