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On the Islamabad conference: "You rallied the Muslim world to speak against the Soviet Union, and they did that. But they insisted first on speaking of their main concerns, which are of the Middle East and Israel. That is the big worry they all still have. I must ask why the American computers cannot understand that and tell you that."
On the new Carter foreign policy: "The Russian bear is thirsty and he sees the water. Who can keep him from drinking? Perhaps he wants to drink oil. Who can keep him from this act? Oil is one of his targets. Don't forget that you kicked him out of this area before, when he was in Egypt and when he was to take part in peace talks. Don't be too surprised that he wants to come back."
On turmoil in the Islamic world: "It is far bigger than the Sunni and the Shi'a. I am Sunni and he [gesturing to the Ayatullah' picture] is Shi'a. But we get along. Shi's and Sunni have existed together for hundreds of years and they did not fight. It is something bigger, something global. It is partly social and it has also to do with liberation movements and the aspirations of the people of these countries."
On U.S. military power in the Middle East:
'You cannot use Israel as your spearhead for bases. That is impossible. Israel has been a burden to you in the past, but now it is becoming a great burden. If you try to use Israel as your base in this area, the reaction will be too much. I am not talking of Arab reaction but of Muslim reaction. You know how great that Muslim reaction is: you rallied it this week. If you try to use those bases you will lose everything. You asked the Muslims to come together against the Soviets, but they will also be together against you."
On the U.S. and the P.L.O.: "I used to be a civil engineer. I know a little mathematics. In calculus there is the odd number. A differential equation has an odd number, and without that number there is no solution to the equation. You are at a crucial moment in your history. Why, at this most crucial moment, do you neglect the Palestinians, who are the odd number in the Middle East? If you recognize Palestine, then the whole equation of the Muslim world will work for you. The problem will be solved. Why can't your computers tell you this?"
On American policy toward Israel:
"When American interests are endangered, you have to talk about practical steps in dealing with Israel. Without an independent Palestinian state, the Americans cannot convince the Arab states, or the Palestinians, to accept Camp David or Egypt or to go along with your policy in this part of the world."