The Israeli and Egyptian delegations exchanged working papers expressing their basic positions during a 15-minute closed session of the joint political committee that began its deliberations here this morning. Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan, who chairs the committee this week, announced that it would reconvene tomorrow at 3 p.m. The recess will allow the parties time to study each other’s proposals. Unofficial contacts at various levels are believed likely during the interim.
The formal opening of the committee sessions was marked by a tough speech by Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Ibrahim Kaamel who referred repeatedly to the rights of the Palestinians and warned that “there will be no real peace in Palestine for the House of Israel unless there will be an equal house for the Palestinian people.” Dayan kept his remarks at a low key and, except for warning against “any attempts to solve the problems by ultimatums,” he spoke in general and conciliatory terms. (Later in the day he held a press conference. See separate story.)
VANCE REITERATES CARTER’S PRINCIPLES
Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, whose mediating role is considered crucial to the outcome of the Israeli-Egyptian negotiations, addressed part of his remarks to the Middle East parties “absent from this committee” and expressed hope that “they will soon join.”
Vance reiterated President Carter’s three “principles” for Mideast peace: normal relations between the parties that mean more than just an end of belligerency; withdrawal by Israel from occupied territories and secure, recognized borders based on United Nations Resolutions 242 and 338; and “a resolution of the Palestinian problem in all of its aspects, recognizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinians and enabling them to participate in the determination of their own future.”
Vance is expected to attempt to bridge the wide gulf between Israel and Egypt over the Palestinians by submitting a compromise proposal. This would support Premier Menachem Begin’s offer of self-rule to the Palestinians on the West Bank and Gaza Strip as a useful basis for a transitional arrangement lasting several years and leading, eventually, to something closer to Palestinian self-determination as demanded by Egypt.
American sources said the Secretary of State would submit his ideas, possibly Thursday and then go to Cairo to discuss them with President Anwar Sadat. He might return to Jerusalem next week. Vance is scheduled to visit Greece and Turkey in connection with those countries’ long smoldering dispute over Cyprus. This will keep him in the region, allowing for his return to the committee deliberations in Jerusalem on short notice.
CHILLED ATMOSPHERE CONTINUES
The opening speeches by Kaamel and Dayan did nothing to change the atmosphere chilled in recent days by hard-line statements on both sides. Although Dayan warned that “any attempts to solve the problems by ultimatums would miss the whole point of the peace talks,” Kaamel was undeterred.
Addressing the Israeli delegation–and also, of course, the Arab world–the Egyptian diplomat asked rhetorically, “Can you not see that the Palestinian people are no less entitled than any other people to achieve their legitimate rights?” He warned: “It would be tragic if you should deny the existence of this Palestinian reality, especially when we have declared our readiness to accept you as part of the Middle East. Would you let the deception of futile arrogance ruin this unique opportunity…?”
Kaamel was equally unequivocal in his demand for Israeli “withdrawal from all the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, holy city of peace.” He spoke of Jerusalem as “the city where for time immemorial, human destiny has city where for time immemorial, human destiny has experienced an encounter with the divine.” He pledged that Egypt which “has always lived up to the challenge history” has offered would “continue to do so as an integral part of the Arab world.”
Kaamel expressed appreciation for the efforts of Vance and the United States to help achieve peace, the only part of his remarks that shored a common ground with Dayan. He also offered a word of welcome to Gen. Ensio Siilasvuo, commander of the United Nations peace-keeping forces in the Middle East, who is sitting in on the talks as an observer on behalf of UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim. Neither Dayan nor Vance referred to the UN’s presence.
Dayan said that the long Middle East conflict had experienced every form of peace-making effort except “peace talks in the full sense of the tern” which are now taking place at last. “We are all aware of the distance between the beginning of peace talks and concluding a peace treaty. But we are on the right path,” he said. He observed that “unconventional approaches” might have to be adopted from time to time because “our situation also is not conventional. Only through concessions, compromise and mutual agreement” can the path to peace be found, the Israeli Foreign Minister said.
Vance said that the “common goal of all,” both those present and absent, was “a just and lasting and comprehensive peace.” His wards seemed to be aimed specifically at Jordan.
Last night, shortly after he arrived here, Vance met with Begin and delivered a letter from Carter to the Israeli leader. Begin did not disclose the contents but told reporters later that it was the 16th or 17th letter he had received from Carter and that the latest one was “one of the most heartening, friendliest messages I have received from the President.” Vance met later with Kaamel.
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