Jimmy Carter and the lessons for future generations.

(Baonghean) - For Julian Zelizer, a professor of history and public relations at the prestigious Princeton University, there is one memory that remains vivid in his mind. It is the image of a 9-year-old boy sitting neatly in class when the teacher paused the lesson so everyone could watch a special event.

They were engrossed in the color television set on the trolley, and then saw U.S. President Jimmy Carter standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to sign the historic peace treaty, the first real diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East.

The 39th US President, Jimmy Carter, served from 1977 to 1981.

That is the day26/3/1979Professor Zelizer still remembers the tears welling up in the eyes of his teachers. All the students present applauded. And that moment became his first clear political memory.

Remarkably, more than 30 years after its conclusion, the Camp David Peace Treaty remains in effect. While Carter's common memory may be of his failures on many issues, this diplomatic achievement remains a memorable moment of presidential leadership in international relations—a model for later presidents as they sought to pursue peace in this volatile region.

Sadat took a bold step that shook the war-torn status quo of the region. In November 1977, the Egyptian president made a historic visit to the Knesset, Israel's legislative body. The reasons for his unexpected visit were complex, ranging from a genuine desire for peace, his own battles with the Muslim Brotherhood, to Egypt's then-weakened economy due to reduced Soviet support.

Sadat appealed for peace when he told the Knesset in Arabic: “If you want to live with us in this area, I honestly tell you that we welcome you safely and securely.” Begin, the leader of the hardline Likud party who had just become Prime Minister of Israel, was impressed and decided to join the negotiations. Begin said: “We Jews know how to appreciate such courage.”

Carter seized the opportunity. The following months were not easy. In March 1978, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) launched a horrific attack – invading Israel via the coasts near Tel Aviv, traveling in pontoon boats – killing 38 Israeli citizens, including 13 children. Begin declared angrily to the Knesset: “There will never be days when Jewish blood will be shed without punishment.” Israel responded with a bombing campaign against PLO outposts in Lebanon, killing thousands.

In an effort to bring about progress, Carter invited Begin and Sadat to meet at Camp David from September 5-17. In his memoirs, Carter stated that his wife, First Lady Rosalynn Carter, had suggested that this was an “ideal location.”

Each leader had prepared themselves psychologically considerably before arriving at the negotiating table. Many argue that Carter's ability to drive negotiations represented one of his strongest moments. He opened meetings by telling attendees that if discussions failed, "I will announce my final proposal and let each person explain why they accept or reject it."

The meetings took place in secret, with staff strictly restricting media access and trying to prevent leaks. The negotiations were extremely tense. Carter, clearly more sympathetic to Sadat than Begin, acted as a mediator. After three days with no progress, the US President separated the two leaders for a private meeting, attempting to find common ground.

Carter insisted on a comprehensive peace plan for the region that included the disputed territories between Egypt and Israel, as well as an agreement on West Bank territories.

The US president believed that peace with the Palestinians was essential to greater peace in the region. But as negotiations progressed, he realized that reaching an agreement on the Sinai Peninsula was the best path to a comprehensive deal, and accepted leaving the Palestinian issues unresolved.

Sadat was unhappy because he considered this crucial, and was concerned about the political consequences of omitting this content from the agreement.

As negotiations neared their conclusion, the situation looked bleak, and Carter criticized both of them. He told Sadat that the lack of an agreement would cause irreparable damage to U.S.-Egypt relations and their personal friendship.

During a crucial exchange, Carter met Begin, who was furious with the US President and resentful of the leaked meetings. Not optimistic about reaching an agreement, Carter decided to bring the eight signed photographs that Begin had previously requested to his nephew. When Carter presented the photos, Begin was deeply moved. He began calling each of his nephews by name and finally urged the US President to try one last time.

Carter's lobbying efforts were effective. The 13-day negotiations resulted in the "Framework Agreement for Peace in the Middle East," outlining goals including Israel's withdrawal from Sinai and Egypt's recognition of Israel. The agreement left the West Bank open.

Although opinion polls showed a sudden surge in support for Carter, his advisor Hamilton Jordan almost exaggerated these political gains, boasting that the U.S. had “completed the hardest part, which was winning over Israel.” Negotiations subsequently entered a slow phase. The Knesset approved the peace plan, but Begin also allowed the construction of numerous Israeli settlements in the West Bank, further escalating tensions.

Carter is often remembered for his perceived inefficiency in political maneuvering, but in this case, his administration waged a major campaign to garner support from the Jewish community. He held regular meetings with religious leaders and organizations within the community, even appearing at synagogues wearing Jewish hats, to assure them that the agreement would be safe for Israel.

Tense negotiations ended with a breakthrough. Egypt and Israel accepted the agreement. Israel will withdraw its troops from Sinai, and Egypt will recognize Israel and begin diplomatic talks. The issue of Jewish settlements and the West Bank will be postponed until a decision is made later. Both countries received financial support from the US, and Israel will receive assistance with oil supplies if Egypt stops supplying them.

The historic handshake between Sadat and Begin in front of the White House on March 26th of that year was an iconic moment. When Begin arrived, he said, "This is the day we've been waiting for, let's enjoy it."

All three radio channels broadcast the event live. In Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the streets were filled with jubilation. Sitting between the two leaders at the signing ceremony, Carter told reporters that prayers for an agreement had been answered “far beyond all expectations.”

Carter recalled in his memoir: “The signing ceremony was well-attended, exciting, and relaxed. Sadat praised me highly; there was no mention of Begin at all. Begin gave a much longer speech. All of it was enough to show the historic importance of the treaty. I only prayed that we would maintain this spirit of cooperation in the future.”

The agreement was not a complete success. A bomb exploded in central Jerusalem shortly after the signing, killing one person and injuring 14 others, leaving many in the US doubting the agreement's viability. Carter's political infighting over the second oil embargo in the summer of 1979 caused his approval ratings to plummet, erasing any memory of his success.

Ronald Reagan defeated him in 1980. Instead of recalling Carter's diplomatic breakthrough with Israel, voters seemed more affected by accusations from the Republican Party that Carter and the Democrats had failed to lead the country – with the Iranian hostage crisis and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan occurring during his term.

But during his brief time in power, Carter achieved a victory with an agreement that lasted beyond his presidency.

As policymakers seek to replicate this, with Iran, with Israel, and with many other countries in the region, they should look back at this one-term president to see how he succeeded in doing what no one has since.

Thu Giang

(According to CNN)