Keeping Faith

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associates. I also knew that his preoccupation with language, names and terms could severely impede free-flowing talk. Begin pointed out that there had not been an agreement between a Jewish nation and Egypt for more than 2,000 years, and that our meeting was historically unprecedented. However, unlike Sadat, Begin was planning for an agreement at Camp David only on general principles, which might then serve as a basis for future meetings, where the specific differences could be resolved by the ministers of foreign affairs and defense. I objected strongly and told him that we three principals could not expect others to settle major issues later if we could not do so now, and that we should address all the controversial questions directly. As he was preparing to leave after our stilted and somewhat superficial discussion, I told him that Sadat had expressed a concern about Begin's preoccupation with details at the expense of the major issues. Begin looked up and said, "I can handle both."

Our differences were obvious, even in personal habits. Begin was the soul of propriety. He preferred to wear a tie and coat and strictly observed protocol, always reminding Sadat and me that he was not a head of state and therefore did not rank as an equal with us. When I wanted to see him, he insisted that he come to my cottage and not the other way around. He stayed up late, worked very hard, kept close to his aides and advisers, and walked to the dining area at Laurel Lodge to eat with all the other Israelis and with most of the Egyptians and Americans. Sadat wore immaculate sports clothes, usually without a tie. He stayed in his cabin more than the rest of us, observed the greatest possible self-discipline in exercise, rest and diet, and took a four-kilometer walk early each morning. He never ate at Laurel with the others, but preferred to dine in privacy. When I wanted to talk to him on the spur of the moment, I would call first and then go to his cottage. I dressed informally, and whenever possible I ran, swam, rode a bicycle or played tennis to get much needed exercise. Between meetings, I spent a lot of time keeping notes of negotiations.

After supper that first night, Begin and I met alone in my cabin. We always used a tiny private office down the hall from the main living room. It hardly seemed suitable for such important talks, but its seclusion, easy access from the cottages occupied by Begin and Sadat, and good view looking south down the mountainside made it seem right. I told Begin that I reserved the right, and had the duty, to put forward compromise proposals, and might on occasion merely adopt either side's position if I believed it to be best. I assured him that I would not give to Sadat or to him any official U.S. proposals without discussing the unofficial drafts first with both sides. Begin insisted repeatedly that the Israelis see any American proposal before it was presented to Sadat. I spelled out to Begin the advantages of a good rapport between him and Sadat. Yet for the last ten days of negotiation, the two never spoke, although their cottages were only about 100 yards apart.

This first evening I was determined to accentuate the positive. I emphasized our awareness that Israel's security was paramount and that Begin's team could not be satisfied with hazy guarantees on this crucial issue. I also told Begin that his