monday, december 5 1977
daily nebraskan
page 5
Anwar Sadat's trip to Israel was dramatic and
historic. Because of it there is new hope for peace in
the long-troubled Middle East. The world's attention
now is focused on Middle Eastern leaders who bear the
burden of carrying through with peace initiatives.
On this page, the Daily Nebraskan examines Sadat's
trip and his leadership. On the facing editorial page,
columnist Jimmy Breslin takes a look at what
happened behind the scenes to bring Sadat to Israel
The phenomena has been called "Cronkite diplomacy. "
To Walter Cronkite, it was fust part of the job.
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Barriers still block peace path
By Ghassan El-Eid
Sadat's dramatic decision to go to Israel is a cou
rageous step. It is a demonstration of the man's desperate
efforts to establish peace and is undoubtedly a gesture of
good will.
However, his decision was risky with incalculable re
sults. By going to Israel, Sadat was not only gambling his
political career, but also his life.
However, the self-imposed and highly crucial question
arises: How much did Sadat's trip contribute toward
peaceful settlement in the Middle East?
It is becoming apparent that thenations in the Middle
East are in favor of a peace. Among the positive repercus
sions of Sadat's initiative has been a no-peace, no-war sit
uation. For the first time this process was done peace
fully. It is also an initiation of a good momentum towards
the desirable peace settlement.
Sadat's visit laid the foundation of direct dialogue in
the Middle East. Although Egypt was the only Arab state
in this dialogue, Sadat assured western reporters that he
expects Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and the Palestinians to
show later in Geneva to discuss a permanent peace treaty.
Meanwhile, the joint Egypt-Israeli communique
The author who submitted this guest opinion is a
senior from Lebanon majoring in architecture. The article
has been edited for clarity and because of space limitations'.
emphasized "the successful negotiations leading to the
signing of peace treaties in Geneva with all Arab states."
For the first time, though for a certain period, the super
powers' (United States and Soviets) role was secondary
and their political dominance ceased to exist.
Among the negative repercussions was the further split
in the Arab world. This is crucial because a peace treaty is
meaningful only as long as it includes all the conflicting
parties. While Sadat was perceived as a peace hero in most
of the West, some Arab regimes considered him a traitor.
So far Israel is the winner. It got Egyptian recogni
tion as a state and the assurance of permanent peace. In
return, Egypt got nothing besides Begin's invitation to
Sadat "to come to Jerusalem and. pray whenever you
want." Obviously, there have to be significant Israeli
concessions. So far the Israeli government's attitude has
been disappointing.
Israel.has to recognize the existance of the Palestinian
people and their legitimate rights in a homeland.
The Israeli fear of a Palestinian entity is not justified
since the entity will only be allowed to keep "police and
self defense forces" and would have to accept an inter
national peace keeping force on its border.
The Arabs are now as powerful as they were in 1973
while Israel is 180 percent stronger. In addition, guaran
tees will be issued to insure Israel's security, among them
is a mutual U.S.-Israeli defense pact.
As the Egyptian ambassador to the UN puts it, "Let
us have a fifth battle for peace."
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Sadat looms big as leader by acting decisively
Washington-The world today has few political leaders
of stature. Statesmen are even more scarce.
That's why Anwar Sadat, sudden and swift stands, tall
in the world and bears the unmistakable dimensions of
leadership. The Egyptian president didn't do it with an ul
timatum or by massing troops on a border. He did it by
shrewd use of a newly powerful tool-the media. -
nick thimmesch
if i
After all, what power does Egypt have? Virtually all its
40 million people, by world standards, live in poverty.
Its weak economy only disables its diseased fiscal system.
True, Egypt has the respect of the Arab world because
of its proud history, scholars and thinkers. It also has pro
vided the cannon fodder for the wars with Israel and,
in that sense, is a fulcrum in the Middle East. Yet, on
paper, Egypt seemed unlikely to suddenly put a world
leader on stage. But it has.
Sadat looms big against the pallid leaders of richer and
more powerful nations The West in particular has abused
its executive offices to the point that current occupants
look pale.
Difficult for Carter
Given the diminished station of the 'American presi
dency, it is difficult for Jimmy Carter to stand tall. A
man named James Callaghan is prime minister of Great
Britain, and a fellow named Helmut Schmidt is No. 1 Jn
West Germany.
Giscard d'Estaing is half DeGaulleY size. Who is
running Italy these days? I doubt whether five Americans
in a 100 can name the premier of Japan.
None of these "leaders" can move the world because
all must answer to proliferating constituencies. Crises are
handled therapeutically by bureaucrats and technocrats
rather than by decisive action.
Sadat took command. If nations stall on Geneva, he
goes to Israel and then calls a conference in Cairo. If other"'
Arab states or the Soviets won't come, he'll hold the Cairo
meeting anyway. Sadat says, don't worry, Syria will have
to come .around-even after Cairo-and the Palestinian
liberation Organization is more broad-rninded than
people think.
Barrier broken
The psychological barrier between Arabs and Israelis
is broken. Ironically, Sadat, an Arab, might bring peace to
Israel.
A leader makes things happen. Sadat forced Israel into
urgent decision-making on its borders and resolution of
the chronic Palestinian problem. American Jewish leaders
prod President Carter to end the "unseemly delay," as
Rabbi Joseph Sternstein put it, in responding to Sadat.
Now Carter prods other Arab states to do the same.
An authentic leader must be courageous. Sadat strode
into the den of Judea. He rode in an open car in Cairo's
streets when the timorous were sure he would be assassin
ated by Arab radicals.
Publicly bawled out
Instead of being conciliatory to those who opposed his
initiative, he bawled them out publicly.
Finally, a leader must have the support of his people.
Sadat is cheered by the Egyptians he commands. He has
grudging respect from leaders of Arab nations richer than
his and those still hostile to Israel. The big, bad Soviet
bear is cornered by Sadat.
Now Sadat tells the nations who would meet in Cairo
that they must sit around one table to avoid the protocol
foolery of diplomatic teams scurrying from one bargain
ing room to another. He invokes God to bring peace to
the Middle East.
Sadat leads a poor nation, but he is big in the world.
Copyright 1977, Los Angeles Times Syndicate.
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