Nation: A Sudden Vision of Peace

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characters. Seldom has such an extraordinary trio of leaders gathered in common purpose: a Christian, a Jew and a Muslim, each a man of deep faith who believes that while he is responsible for the welfare of his people, he also serves a higher authority. This can humble a leader; but it can also encourage him to take worthwhile—or dangerous—risks. For Carter, a born-again Baptist, the strength of his faith may have helped inspire him to convene the summit, even while knowing its possible collapse would further dim hopes for peace. As Carter perhaps optimistically saw it, the potential benefit—a major step toward resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict—was greater than the risk.

Sometimes the marathon at Camp David resembled an eleventh-hour labor-management negotiation aimed at fending off a crippling strike. Sometimes the atmosphere recalled that of a religious retreat. In other respects, especially the near total seclusion, the conference resembled the recent conclave that elected Pope John Paul I—but in this case there were not even the periodic wisps of smoke from the Sistine Chapel to let the outside world know what was going on. Right until the end, Camp David was emitting no definitive signals.

As a result, nobody was ever sure whether what one high U.S. aide called Carter's "gigantic effort" was succeeding or if there was serious trouble. In fact, there were lots of both. Except for White House Press Secretary Jody Powell's terse briefings on nonsubstantive matters, there was nothing to go on, nothing for a frustrated worldwide press corps of some 350 to report. Meanwhile, an anxious and intently concerned globe waited ... and waited.

At one midweek point it seemed as if a conclusion—and not a very satisfactory one—was imminent. Powell announced that the talks had entered their "final stages." U.S. officials were making it known that they would like to wrap up the conference before the start of another weekend of triple sabbaths. But only a day after his statement, Powell retreated, explaining with prescience that "the final stage could be the longest stage." He added that "a framework for reaching peace" was still beyond grasp and that "more progress and more flexibility are essential." But as was to happen frequently in the following days, Carter refused to give up.

An Arab-Israeli settlement was becoming increasingly urgent because a number of other serious problems are endangering Middle East stability. Unrest and violence are rocking Iran, and war continues to rage in Lebanon. Said Israeli Acting Premier Yigael Yadin in Jerusalem: "The situation in Iran and Lebanon may help move things at Camp David. Often the best cure for a headache is to have someone kick you in the stomach." Another source of trouble is the increasing Soviet presence in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf areas and Soviet ventures in Africa.

With the stakes so high at Camp David, and the information quotient so low, it was understandable that rumor reigned. For every "highly placed" source predicting progress there was a "well-informed" source insisting that the talks were going grimly. Rumors on the course of the discussions described everything from major concessions to hopeless stalemate.

In fact, no one outside Camp David had any clear idea of what