Mideast Peace Summit Under Way at Camp David
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: United States President Bill Clinton brought the leaders of Israel and the Palestinians together Tuesday to take on some of the toughest issues in Middle East peace-making. The place: the Camp David presidential retreat, where 22 years ago, Israel and Egypt reached a landmark accord. CNN's Kelly Wallace is in nearby Thurmont, Maryland.</s>KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They appeared briefly for the cameras, but no hint of what was behind the smiles.</s>WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We pledged to each other we would answer no questions and offer no comments. So I have to set a good example.</s>WALLACE: And then, behind closed doors, the two Mideast leaders playfully struggling to be the more gracious negotiator.</s>JOE LOCKHART, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The meetings began today in a good atmosphere. The discussions have been serious.</s>WALLACE: Earlier, President Clinton signaled the message he would take to the negotiating table.</s>CLINTON: The two leaders face profound and wrenching questions. And there can be no success without principled compromise. The road to peace, as always, is a two-way street.</s>WALLACE: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak faces political pressures at home, but remains confident he has a mandate from the Israeli people for a peace deal. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat brings a different approach, promising to unilaterally declare a Palestinian state, with or without a peace deal, by a September 13th deadline. (on camera): White House officials say the goal of day one: testing the mood to see if the parties are ready for deal-making. In the days ahead, Mr. Clinton could offer some U.S. proposal. But the White House is imposing a pseudo gag-order, hoping to keep whatever options are being discussed -- quote -- "in the room." Kelly Wallace, CNN, near Camp David, Maryland.</s>BERNARD SHAW, CNN ANCHOR: CNN's Jerrold Kessel has long covered both the Israeli and Palestinian sides from Jerusalem. He joins us from Thurmont -- Jerrold.</s>JERROLD KESSEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bernie, the question is, is this an all-encompassing be-all, if you like, be-all, end-all summit, a finale summit, or if all three leaders merely positioning themselves for the aftermath of the summit, the aftermath...</s>SHAW: Well, we're having difficultly with the visual portion of his report. And as soon as we can get back to him, we shall.