Camp David Summit

The historic meeting at Camp David in September last, when U.S.A. President Carter conferred with President Sadat of Egypt and Israel's Prime Minister Begin, signified a turning point in Middle East politics. The Summit took place at the initiative of the U.S. President who invited the two contestants to meet with him in a supreme effort to bridge the differences between them. They both eagerly accepted the invitation. Informed observers described the move as "a political gamble". If the Summit ended in failure, it would utterly destroy President Carter's credibility as a world leader and make a further Middle East conflict inevitable.

For 13 days the three statesmen were virtually cut off from the rest of the world. Elaborate precautions were taken to prevent 'leaks' on how the negotiations were proceeding, but their very length provoked ominous forecasts of a stalemate. The world waited unhopefully for the talks to end, expecting at best an inconclusive, face-saving communique. In the event the prophets were taken completely by surprise. The outcome of the Summit astonished the world. President Carter had succeeded, so it was said, in pulling off a major diplomatic triumph.

The three statesmen emerged from Camp David with two peace agreements. The first, entitled, "A framework for peace in the Middle East", relates to the West Bank and Gaza. The second agreement provides for a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt by the middle of December. When he signed the two documents Prime Minister Begin said it was "a great moment in the history of our nations and of mankind".

Readers will be aware of the subsequent reaction to the proposed settlement by the various parties concerned with it. In Israel there was widespread relief at the prospect of peace at last. But there

was violent opposition from the extreme Gush Emunim Movement which seeks mass Jewish settlement on captured Arab land. Its leader said, "We see the agreement as a surrender and a treason by Begin". However, after keen debate in the Israeli Knesset, the Begin agreements were endorsed by a substantial majority. The way is now open for talks with Egypt on a joint peace treaty. As we write (October 12) these are under way in Washington.

In Egypt there was cautious optimism when news of the agreements was announced. But the resignation of Egypt's Foreign Minister, Mohammed Kamel, indicated that the concessions made by President Sadat were not entirely approved by his Cabinet. As was expected, the P.L.O. reaction was one of fury, President Sadat being stigmatized as a traitor to the Arab cause. Syria and other Arab states condemned the treaties as a "sell out to Israel", and the same line was taken by the Soviet Union. Jordan and Saudi Arabia remained cool yet non-committal.

The most that can be said at this stage is that while a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt seems probable the way ahead for the wider settlement proposed in "A framework for peace in the Middle East" is beset with formidable obstacles. If these can be surmounted it will signal a new epoch in Arab-Israeli relations.

Christians everywhere, as well as world statesmen, observe these moves with deep concern. But we know from Scripture that whatever transpires from the present efforts to resolve the Middle East crisis, the destiny of "Immanuel's land" is fixed, certain and glorious.

Vatican Embarrassment

The sudden death of Pope John Paul after a brief reign of 33 days brought shock and bewilderment in Roman Catholic circles. In the early hours of Friday, September 29, the world was startled by a brief announcement from the Vatican that the Pontiff had been found dead in his room at 5.30 a.m. that morning. A doctor concluded that he had been dead for about 6 1/2 hours and that the cause of death had been a heart attack.

In the absence of a post-mortem examination there was agitated speculation in Rome as to the real cause of death, but the Italian Press reports that the general opinion is that Pope John Paul died of a heart attack brought on by the sheer stress of his job.

Meanwhile, as we write, the Cardinals, no doubt perplexed and chastened, are gathering in Rome for the Conclave to elect a successor. It is estimated that this will cost up to �21/2 million and that it will put renewed strain on the Vatican finances. By the time this comment appears Pope John Paul's successor will probably already be known.

unknown | Nov 1978
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