Introduction

With pressure building to resume the momentum towards peace, the Carter administration sought some initiative. In the face of inertia over his initative, Sadat seemed frustrated and willing to percipitate some sort of crisis. His leadership in another attack on Israel (like the October War discussed in the Prelude) seemed more likely. Since there was no prospect of success if Begin and Sadat stayed apart, President Carter decided to invite each to a summit in the US.

Carter wrote secret letters to each leader asking them to consider such a meeting, possibly at the Camp David retreat in Maryland. Both responded enthusiastically, Sadat only requesting that the negotiations be postponed until after the Muslim holy days at the beginning of September.

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