Carter sizes up Sadat, Begin, and Brezhnev

Looking back on his dealings with other world leaders as President, Jimmy Carter sized up Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, and Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev in an interview with the Washington Post.

Mr. Carter said Mr. Sadat was "my favorite of all" -- ". . . honest, unrestrained, decisive, and cooperative." While describing Mr. Begin as "extremely courageous," Carter noted that he was more difficult to negotiate with.

Criticizing the US arms buildup to counter the Soviets' military posture, he said, "Though it is politically popular to condemn everything about the Soviets these days, I was convinced and I still am convinced that Brezhnev desires peace."