You Got This Far--Keep Going : The only thing Syria and Israel have to fear is fear itself

No one familiar with the tumultuous and tragic history of the Middle East over the last 45 years can fail to be impressed by the astonishing turn taken in relations between Israel and Syria. The most implacable of foes in four wars are now negotiating directly on how to make peace. They remain far from agreement, and the word from the Syrian delegation meeting with the Israelis in Washington is that the talks have reached an impasse. Maybe, but it’s hard to believe that having come this far the two sides won’t be able to break any deadlock.

The defining element in these talks is the apparent belief on both sides--manifested in Israel only since the recent change of government--that a real opportunity is at hand to change the sterile status quo. Syria, economically strapped and having lost its Soviet patron, gains nothing by continuing the conflict and could benefit markedly from ending it. Israel, perceiving a declining Syrian military threat, is ready to modify its security demands.

Israel wants a full peace, including diplomatic relations, trade and rock-solid security arrangements. Syria’s chief interest is reclaiming the Golan Heights, captured by Israel in the 1967 war and before that essentially a Syrian artillery platform for shelling villages in northern Israel. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin says Israel is ready to trade land on the Golan for peace but won’t completely give up the strategic plateau. Syria says it must have all of the Golan back.

A standoff, perhaps, but not one beyond resolving. Israel’s security concerns are valid, and provision must be made for them. That’s something even Syria now seems ready to concede. But there’s a lot of room for creative compromise on the Golan. That could include agreement on a long-term Israeli lease over a portion of the territory that would not challenge Syria’s claim to ultimate sovereignty; a phased withdrawal of Israeli army units and settlers, and international peace monitors, as in the Sinai between Egypt and Israel.

A negotiation is halfway to success when the two sides want truly to succeed. There is a sense coming out of the Washington talks that the halfway point has indeed been reached.