MIDDLE EAST: Sadat: The Hour of Decision

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Sadat's initiative has already had a small but discernible impact at the United Nations, that uncertain barometer of the global mood. Egyptian Ambassador Esmat Abdel Meguid walked out during an anti-Sadat diatribe by his Syrian colleague, though he later cast Egypt's vote for a Syrian-inspired resolution condemning Israel's occupation of Arab lands. During the debate he smiled and nodded through a speech by Israel's Chaim Herzog. In his address, Abdel Meguid had said, "Let us have a fifth battle for peace," referring to four previous wars between Israel and the Arabs that left 10,010 Israelis dead and 28,824 on the Arab sides. Echoed Herzog: "We accept the challenge. We are prepared to set out on what we trust will be the fifth and final struggle, the struggle for peace."