Closer to Peace

The Wye Summit will likely be studied by diplomatic historians for years to come. After nine days of tense negotiations and high drama, Israel and the Palestinians signed an agreement last Friday that will push forward the heretofore stalled implementation of the Oslo Accords. Both sides made significant concessions, including the implementation of points agreed upon at Oslo as well as new ones, and both deserve the commendation of the international community for taking the brave steps necessary for a true and lasting peace.

Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu deserves credit for resisting the pressures of the Israeli Right and agreeing to complete important troop re-deployments in the West Bank. He was particularly courageous in agreeing to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

Leader of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat has accepted important anti-terrorism measures that will make his domestic situation similarly unpleasant. Particularly important are the concrete measures to confiscate illegal weapons and to monitor the incitement of violence; symbolically important is his agreement to delete passages from the PLO's constitution that call for Israel's destruction.

The CIA will take an active role in combating terrorism and bridging security relations between the two sides. This is an excellent role for the agency in the aftermath of the Cold War. Hopefully the Senate Intelligence Committee, which has announced plans to review the proposal, will give it their stamp of approval.

The ailing King Hussein also deserves praise for helping to bring about this agreement. According to reports from participants in the summit, it was Hussein's emotional speech on Thursday that helped bring the parties close their final agreement. President Clinton, too, should be commended for devoting extraordinary time and energy to this process. Whether his motive was the resurrection of his legacy or a genuine interest in peace, or a combination of both, he deserves the world's gratitude for helping to bring the Middle East closer to peace.

Talks almost crumbled last Wednesday, and little would have been achieved without the dedication of all four men--Netanyahu, Arafat, Clinton and Hussein--to crafting a working agreement.

Unfortunately, the most difficult and contentious issues of the peace process, such as the nature of the Palestinian entity and the status of Jerusalem, await resolution in the coming months. If Wye is any indication, there is a rocky road ahead.