ABSTRACT
Jordan's advantage over the Palestine Liberation Organization in being delegated to represent the Palestinian interest in the Geneva Conference proved to be worthless, for within little more than a month, President Anwar al-Sadat embarked on a diplomatic initiative that nullified the Geneva framework. The difficulties that had arisen in the summer of 1977 in connection with the Geneva Conference merely reinforced Sadat's developing desire to settle his conflict with Israel as quickly as possible, and on his own, if need be. President Sadat's initiative, made independently of the other Arab states, reinforced the fear, entertained by Syria and Jordan since 1975, that Egypt might eventually desert them, leaving them to their own inferior resources to deal with Israel. Sadat's conclusion was that Egypt's reconstruction could no longer be delayed and that its funding would have to come at the expense of its military budget. In any case, reconstruction was possible only if Egypt's conflict with Israel were terminated.
