The summit between President Anwar Sadat and Premier Menachem Begin was a success, analysts agreed to day It was a success — although there was no break through on the issues of dispute between the two countries — because of the atmosphere that characterized the talks. In the words of Sadat, ” Differences — yes Conflicts— not any more.”
Although quite a few Israelis questioned the wisdom of playing into the Egyptian insistence on not holding the summit meetings in Jerusalem, Haifa proved to provide the right setting for a successful meeting: a comfortable hotel, in the midst of greenery, overlooking the magnificent view of the bay of Haifa, the warm welcome of Haifa residents; the charm of Jihan Sadat and Maha Sadat, the Sadat’s’ oldest daughter, and a pleasant late summer climate. It was small wonder, therefore, that Sadat’s optimism struck the Israelis as well.
The practical aspect of Sadat’s optimism was his conviction that Jordan, and perhaps other Arab states, would join the peace process before the end of the year.
On the bilateral plane, the most important achievement was the agreement to set up joint Israeli-Egyptian patrols to supervise the Sinai withdrawal. The problem of a suitable multinational force was created when the Soviet Union, in the United Nations Security Council, refused to go along with extending the mandate of the UN Emergency Force followed up by Washington’s failure to step into the breach. New Sadat and Begin have taken the bull by its horns, thereby serving notice on the super-powers that things can happen at this part of the world without their agreement.
Israel’s main gain in the talks was the Egyptian promise to provide Israel with sufficient oil after the withdrawal from the oil fields — although the question of price has still to be resolved. Israel agreed for an early withdrawal from Santo Katering, but it was agreed that Israelis could go on visiting the area, and the field school operated by the Israel Nature Protection Society would continue to operate.
THE DEBIT SIDE
On the debit side, the gap on Jerusalem is as wide as ever. Although Sadat did concede that whatever happened, the city must remain united Nor did there seem to be much progress on the autonomy issue. Sadat repeatedly stressed the need to solve the Palestinian problem, although he said that for the time being this could be done without the Palestinians themselves.
Summing up, the summit served the same function as the earlier, only more so. Israel is slowly withdrawing from Sinai, a process which Sadat any wers by a few gestures about normalization — and lots of smiles. Sadat clearly feels that time is on his side, as he gradually regains back the land which is so important for him.
The instability in the Arab world around him has given him the self-confidence which earlier this year seemed to be shaken. Many Israelis still wonder what will be the nature of Israeli – Egyptian relations, once the withdrawal has been completed and if there was no progress on the Palestinian issue. For better or worse, the only answer to that at the moment is the optimism which radiated from Sadat in the Haifa summit, and the hope that the “chariot of peace” can no longer be reversed.
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