Summary

Many issues that confronted the Middle East in 1998 remained open as 1999 began. These included: the position of a new Israeli Government on resumption of the peace process with both the Palestinians and the Syrians; the possible Palestinian declaration of statehood and the response of Israel and the rest of the world to such an announcement; the continuing bloodshed in Algeria; the stability of President Khatami's Government and his quest to liberalize Iran; and the situation in Iraq. Any of these issues would be a serious challenge to peace and stability in most regions. The Middle East must deal with them all at the same time. 

Although each issue commands attention and concern, the Palestinian question appears to hold the greatest potential to usher in either a new era of reconciliation in the Middle East or a new period of confrontation. Each of the other problems, with the possible exception of the Algerian situation, will be made more complex and dangerous if the peace process fails, although the success of that process will not, in itself, guarantee solutions to the other problems. After eight years of peacemaking, 1999 is the critical year. Ultimately, the Middle East requires a new approach to security if it is to move beyond the confrontations and bloodshed which characterized 1998. The successful conclusion of the peace process is a sine qua non for the establishment of a new approach.

Appendix 3A. Documents on the Middle East peace process

Appendix 3A reproduces the text of the Wye River Memorandum