I am re-reading "In Search of Identity", Anwar
Sadat's autobiography and i will be quoting from the
Appendix I message to President Breshnev and
Appendix V speech to the Israeli Knesset in my letter to
President Breshnev.
From the speech to the Knesset, i repeat these of this words:
"Why don't we stand together with the courage of men and the boldness of heroes who dedicate themselves to a sublime aim? Why don't we stand together with the same courage and daring to erect a huge edifice of peace?
An edifice that builds and does not destroy. An edifice that serves as a beacon for generations to come with the human message for construction, development and the dignity of man. Why should we bequeath to the coming generations the plight of bloodshed, yes, orphans, widowhood, family disintegration, and the wailing of victims?
Why don't we believe in the wisdom of God conveyed to us by the wisdom of the proverbs of Solomon:
'Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.Why don't we repeat together the Psalms of David the Prophet:
'Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith than an house full of sacrifices with strife.'
'Unto thee will I cry, O Lord. Hear the voice of my supplications. When I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands towards thy holy oracle.
'Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief in their hearts.
Give them according to their deeds and according to the wickedness of their endeavours."1
His closing words to the Knesset were:
"I have chosen to come to you with an open heart and an open mind. I have chosen to give this great impetus to all international efforts for peace. I have chosen to present to you in your own home, the realities, devoid of any scheme or whim. Not to maneuver, or win a round, but for us to win together, the most dangerous of rounds embattled in modern history, the battle of permanent peace based on justice.
It is not my battle alone. Nor is it the battle of the leadership in Israel alone. It is the battle of all and every citizen in all territories, whose right it is to live in peace. It is the commitment of conscience and responsibility in the hearts of millions.
When i put forward this initiative, many asked what is it that I conceived as possible to achieve during this visit and what my expectations were. And as I answer the questions, I announce before you that I have not thought of carrying out this initiative from the precepts of what could be achieved during this visit. I have come here to deliver a message. I have delivered the message and may God be my witness.
1-NOT TO MAKE TOO MUCH OF A POINT ABOUT THIS PRESENTLY (I'LL WAIT TO SEE THE RESPONSE TO MY PENDING SUBMISSION TO THE 'ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE' WHICH WILL RAISE THE ISSUE) BUT I DID READ WHAT YOU FIND IF YOU TAKE A SERIES OF (4) BRIEF SIDESTEPS HERE A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO AND IT STUCK IN MY MIND IN RELATION TO THESE WISE WORDS FROM PSALMS.
GIVEN WHAT YOU FIND IF YOU TAKE A BRIEF SIDESTEP HERE AND THEN TAKE A BRIEF SIDESTEP HERE, I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT