Columnist Trude B. Feldman: Quest for Peace revisits Camp David

Monday, July 31, 2000 | 2:20 a.m.

What is the difference between the just-concluded Middle East summit at Camp David and the summit here in 1978?

From my vantage point of having covered both summits in the Catoctin Mountains of Western Maryland, I'd say one vital similarity is the secluded location and its serenity.

Another is that both summits represent two American presidents' earnest desire to help reach a peace agreement in the Mideast.

In September 1978 President Jimmy Carter brought to Camp David Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. They, their delegations and Mr. Carter's American team spent 13 days and nights in exhaustive negotiations at the presidential retreat.

The result: Two agreements -- one establishing a framework for peace in the Mideast and the other establishing a framework for the conclusion of a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The two documents, which became known as the Camp David Accords, were signed by the three leaders in a moving ceremony in the East Room of the White House. Six months later -- after prolonged and exasperating further negotiations, including a trip by Carter to Egypt and Israel -- the three were back at the White House to sign the Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel.

But the broader framework for a comprehensive peace remained unfulfilled.

In July President Clinton convened what is now called Camp David II to enable Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and their delegations to negotiate a framework agreement in preparation for a comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty. The two leaders previously had set a Sept. 13 deadline as part of the Sharm El Sheik agreement that provided a road map for completing interim arrangements and bringing the conflict to a conclusion.

Today the Israeli-Palestinian issues are more complex and intertwined, and the solutions are not as clear as they were at Camp David I between Egypt and Israel. They are much more fundamental for the people involved, including the resolution of "final status" issues, such as Jerusalem refugees, settlements and security.

In 1978 it was land in Sinai for peace. Yet, despite a number of crises, President Carter, Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin finally were able -- after 13 days and nights -- to attain an agreement that has lasted to this day.

In 2000 it is land in Palestine for peace -- in addition to the establishment of complex relationships that will allow Israelis and Palestinians to co-exist side by side.

Since Ehud Barak was elected prime minister last year, he, the president and Chairman Arafat have gotten to know each other well and exchange pleasantries about one another's families. Yet between Chairman Arafat and Premier Barak there is little mutual trust.

It is President Clinton's rapport with each of them that had a huge impact on the two leaders' decision to remain at Camp David -- after the ninth day -- and continue the talks with Secretary of State Madeline Albright when Mr. Clinton had to attend the annual G-8 economic summit in Japan.

The intensive negotiations continued during the three days the president was gone and only came to a halt on the morning of the 15th day when the president concluded that the two parties had done all they could for now.

So, while Camp David I provided Israel and Egypt with a peace treaty that has endured since 1978, it still remains to be seen whether or not Camp David II will provide Israelis and Palestinians the basis for a future agreement that will also stand the test of time.

As I wrote in an "Op-Ed" essay in the New York Times on May 14, 1983, Israel's 35th birthday: "After speaking with each of Israel's prime ministers, including its first, David Ben Gurion, and each sitting American president since Richard Nixon (plus, I interviewed Harry Truman in 1972), it is apparent that no matter how intense the effort, or how strong the tenacity demonstrated by any president or any Israeli prime minister, a lasting peace in the area can be reached only when the Palestinians gain political self expression."

That self-expression may come about as a result of the time spent in the rustic cabins during Camp David II. After 14 days and nights of wrenching effort with Barak and his team and Arafat and his team, President Clinton and Secretary Albright are convinced that significant progress was made on the core issues.

As to what must come next, President Clinton succinctly summed it up: "Now the two parties must go home and reflect both on what happened at Camp David and on what did not happen. For the sake of their children, they must rededicate themselves to the path of peace and find a way to resume their negotiations in the next few weeks."