"You've Got to Help Me"

On board his plane bound for Washington, Egyptian President Sadat spoke with TIME Correspondent Wilton Wynn of his hopes for the Camp David talks. Highlights:

> "I will be frank with Carter--he is a dear friend. I will tell him my people to a certain extent are disappointed. Some are beginning to ask: 'Are we friends or not?' "

> "I am always optimistic by nature, but really I am very disheartened, and I am coming because I like the people of the United States. This all started when I received a personal letter from Carter. Now I am coming to America for arbitration. You've got to help me."

> "Some Arabs want me to say I regret my Jerusalem mission. No, I don't regret it. Let's hope that with Carter we can discuss giving momentum again in the spirit of my mission."

> "Let me ask this question: On what grounds is Begin adopting this hard line? It is adopted because of the American arsenal in Israel. We had thought it would make them feel more secure and flexible, but they are using it to claim others' land."

> "I shall never oppose the United States' sending a plane and a tank to every Israeli man and woman. But let them use them inside their borders to feel secure, not to claim others' land. I have nothing against the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel."

> "I am asking for the same arms that Israel is getting. I don't like to be treated like before, with one eye on Israel and one eye on me. I am asking arms not to attack Israel... because American arms cannot be used against the allies or friends of America. But I have other responsibilities now. I have received alarming reports from Africa, from Somalia and Chad."

> "I have chosen my fate, and there is no way to turn back on this. I couldn't disappoint those millions of people who lived with us those moments in Jerusalem. I won't let them down. Unfortunately there was no response from the other side. But if time proves that I am wrong, I must pay for this. I shall not try to change my ideas, because when I started, I was convinced it was a sacred mission."

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