FBIS Coverage of the Middle East Peace Talks: 1977 December

PPROVED FOR RELEASE CIA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS DIVISION AR 70-14 13NOV201
V. 12 Dec 77 N 11 ISRAEL
In DAVAR's opinion, the success or failure of the Vance trip will be known only after
he visits Amman and Damascus. Even though the Americans do not oppose the Israeli-
Egyptian contacts, they took pains to stress in Cairo and in Jerusalem that the parties
were not intent on a separate settlement but on a comprehensive settlement. There is
no doubt that Washington still desires as comprehensive an agreement as possible that
will also include Syria, for in the event of a polarization Syria might be pushed back
into the arms of the Soviets--something which the Americans would like to avoid at all
costs. For the time being, however, the chances of Mr Vance's success in Damascus appear
to be rather slight. Signs of regret, about having participated in the front of those
who were at Tripoli, could not be seen on Al-Asad during his trip to the oil countries.
HAZOFF calls upon the U.S. administration to let the moves in the region develop
properly. The newspaper writes that President Carter's remark that he expects Israel
to show courage in the face of the'Egyptian peace initiative is tantamount to a call
to Israel to make concessions. Israel should be allowed to decide for itself on matters
concerning its national security. 'AL HAMISHMAR writes that there was a demonstrative
optimism in the prime minister's remarks at yesterday's press conference. However,
over and above that, we did not learn the degree of the Israeli Government's willingness
to reduce the large gap between President as-Sadat's opening positions and those of 1
Mr Begin. Everyone hopes for the success of the Cairo conference, but side by side
with hope one cannot hide one's feelings of fear in view of the fog that is covering
the government's moves.
HAMODI'A expresses the opinion that an observer from the sidelines would find it hard
to understand how it is possible to bridge the gap betw'een the declaration that there
is no intention for Israel and.Egypt to sign a separate peace and the hope that Syria
and Jordan will join the Cairo conference as the peace process develops. OMER writes
that it is hard to understand the basis for the prime minister's declared optimism at
the press conference. The prime minister certainly knows many details which are not
known to others, but it is doubtful if these details change the situation. For some
reason, we have not heard that the Egyptians share Menahem Begin's optimism.
The Jerusalem POST says that in one sphere there is total agreement between Egypt and
Israel--and that is that the Soviet Union has been denied the right to play an active
role in the process of negotiations in the region. In SHE'ARIM's opinion, the time
has come to cut down on elation over the new situation and to begin to weigh the diplo-
matic .advantages of an agreement with Egypt against the security problems that might
be created. A balanced view of the advantages as opposed to the dangers is an essential
condition for correct decisions.
Afternoon Editorials.
TA120911Y Jerusalem Domestic Service in Hebrew 0900 GMT 12 Dec 77 TA
[Review of afternoon press editorials]
[Text] MA'ARIV writes that the joint press conference excelled in what was not said.
For example, how can President as-Sadat represent the views of all the Arabs at the
Cairo conference when most are blacklisting him? What will Israel do if the PLO
suddenly turns up at the conference? And might the conference lead to a separate
peace with Egypt if Syria and Jordan do not participate. YEDI'OT AHARONOT quotes a
senior American official in the Vance entourage who said that the Cairo conference is
not the end in the Israeli-Arab dialog but a starting point. It is possible that at
a certain stage a. separate agreement with Egypt might be achieved, but it would be an
agreement including all the foundations of a comprehensive Israeli-Arab agreement
covering territories that do not belong to Egypt and the Palestinian issue.