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P««e 4 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE December 23, 1977 Cairo raises queries The Weekly Newspaper far 80a there Jewry Our 54th Year Jack Gcldbart: Editor A Publisher Vida Goldgar: Managing Editor J. Allen Anderson: Advertising Director Published every Friday by The Southern Israelite, Inc. Second Claes postage paid at Atlanta, Ga Publication Ala 779090 Mailing Address: P. O. Boa 77388, Atlanta, Georgia 30357 Location: 188 15th Si. N. W. Phone: (404) 875-8248 Advertising rates available upon request Subscriptions: $12.55-1 year, $25.00-2H years Miwfcsr: Jxiiah TtWfnpfcic Agamey; Rtlfb« News 8rvk*;~Anrif ■ J«witki Prm Awn.; Cwrfii Ptvm Asm.; NsIImsI Niwiygyir Asm. . Where were you? On another page of this issue, an active community member takes issue with the relatively small number of people who turned out for the recent rally sponsored by the Women's Plea for Soviet Jewry. We’d like to add our disappointment. Conditions for Jews in the Soviet Union appear to be worsening. Experts feel that external pressures have, in many instances, been the key factor in easing the persecution of Jews. Persistent demonstrations and letter campaigns can be effective. This year, for what is believed to be the first time since demonstrations began in our nation’s capital, the Soviet Embassy accepted a “statement of concern” from representatives of the Greater Washington Women’s Plea for Human Rights for Soviet Jewry. This is, at least, some progress and a tribute to the persistence of the Washington group. The Atlanta rally was not a “Jewish” plea. It represented the combined effortsof more than 30 Jewish, Catholic and Protestant organizations. Yet fewer than 300 women showed up to lend their support. For shame! Don’t stop now Newspaper headlines, television and radio newscasts, and man- on-the-street conversations are focused these days on the exciting and hopeful developments in the Middle East. With'the exhilaration comes a concern. We fear complacency on the part of some who have been generous in their support of Israel through the dangerous and difficult past. This is no time for complacency. Israel’s strength has brought that valiant country to this point. A large measure of that strength has been made possible by our dollars. Those dollars are still vitally needed—our obligations continue. The Atlanta Jewish Welfare Federation is presently conducting a campaign to translate pledges into cash, before the end of the year. We Urge your cooperation. Jack Ceidbert, whose cohunn regularly appears in this space, is la Morocco with other editors of the E ngUsh/Jewish press on a study-mission sponsored by the Moroccan government. by Dr. Kenneth W. Stein JERUSALEM—The opening of the Cairo conference last week was an intermediate juncture in Egyptian-Israeli negotiations which had its public ■beginning in Anwar Sadat's historic trip to Israel. Judging from the travels of Middle Eastern leaders before and after the Sadat trip three weeks ago, one might suspect that what will be openly discussed at the Cairo conference When King Hussein was in Atlanta in April speaking before the Southern Center for International Sutdies, he did not hide his distaste for that resolution which denies him the right to represent Palestinian interests. He made it emphatically clear then, and in a press interview two weeks ago, that he would like “to untie the knot of Rabat." The presence of West Bank and Gaza Strip Palestinians at the Cairo Anolvsk has already been partially agreed upon in various private discussions. The numerous peace treaty formulas that have emerged in the Arab and Hebrew press in recent days, the “trial balloon” of Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan’s suggestion about a partitioned West Bank, the Saudf Arabian reaffirmation of Arab rights to Jerusalem, and the repeated denial that a separate Egyptian-Israeli settlement is being sought indicate that more than procedure is being discussed in private. After King Hussein's visit to the Egyptian capital last weekend, Sadat and the Jordanian king spoke about their adherence to the Rabat summit conference reaohation. Explicitly, they were referring to the political status won by the Palestinian Liberation Organization at the Arab summit conference in October 1974 where the PLO was annointed “the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.” Why did Hussein or Sadat choose to mention the Rabat summit resolutions? Were they publicly telling the rest of the Arab world that at some future date they might seek an alternative to the PLO? conference suggests that a viable political alternative to the PLO is being nurtured. Quite noticeably, King Hussein is not being violently attacked by members of the Arab “rejectionist front." Those Arab countries that brook no compromise with Israel recognize that the slightest antagonism against Hussein might drive him willingly into the grasp of Sadat's settlement initiative. Such a possibility would make Syria’s recalcitrance that much more lonely, and perhaps, ultimately untenable. Not only is the question of Palestinian representation in the throes of debate but the wake of Sadat’s visit has generated expected political division in the Arab-world. Arab unity wax not a prerequisite for Sadat’s visit to Israel. Undoubtedly Sadat knew that his 35'minute plane ride to Tel Aviv would only polarize positions. Now, instead of an intermediary between Israelis and Arabs, U.S. Secretary of State Vance is seeking to mediate between the Arab countries that border on Israel, and Egypt. If, in fact, large portions of substance have been agreed upon already, Sadat, too, may ultimately become more of an intermediary for his Arab colleagues with Israel, than an advocate in negotiations against Israel. The Cairo conference itself at various stages will discuss the substance, the nature and implementation of a settlement, if one is to be achieved. Substance will be questions concerned with territorial withdrawal, border demarcation, use of waterways and, perhaps, mutual and great power guarantees. The nature of peace will probably concern matters relating to cultural exchanges, trade relations, diplomatic representation, ending the state of beligerency and treaty- signing. Implementation of a settlement will be the most arduous of the negotiating components. If there are “stages" of territorial withdrawal, how long will each stage endure? How will determination be made about the success or failure of each side’s commitment to a particular stage? Will the United States once again be the sole peace monitor as it is presently in the Sinai? How will “staging” affect the creation of demilitarized zones, limited force zones, and permanent peace keeping arrangements? At what point will the respective countries have to turn to their people and parliaments for acceptance and ratification of items negotiated? The questions are endless. The problems are staggering and latent distrust still remains evident. Not since 1949, when Israelis and Egyptians met to discuss armistice lines have there been face-to-face negotiations. Diplomacy may still prevail. You have no idea what it’s like trying to reason with those Arabs!” Carter biography free to Arabs WASHINGTON, D.C. —President Jimmy Carter’s biography entitled “Why Not the Best” is being translated into Arabic, and will be passed out as a free gift to many Arabs. A spokesman for the United States Information Agency told The Jewish Post and Opinion that the government is paying $1,150 to buy 1,000 copies of the book to give away free to Arabs. “We have information centers and libraries throughout the world, and this book would make good presentation material for our offices in the Arab world," said Erwin van Swol, information officer for U.S.I.A. “We’ll be giving them away free to opinion leaders, college professors and others," he said. Arabic rights for the book were purchased for only $100 from Broadman Press of Nashville, Tenn. by The Anglo-Egyptian Publishing Co., of Cairo, Egypt. The Egyptian publisher plans to print 5,000 copies of the book, which will sell for only $1.15 a copy. Ptni and Opinion