The Young Resignation Resolution, Sponsored by Kuwait, Was August 19, 1979)

New Directions

Volume 7 | Issue 1 Article 3

10-1-1979 The ounY g Resignation: What Does It Mean? Ronald Walters

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Recommended Citation Walters, Ronald (1979) "The ounY g Resignation: What Does It Mean?," New Directions: Vol. 7: Iss. 1, Article 3. Available at: http://dh.howard.edu/newdirections/vol7/iss1/3

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An Analysis the PLO." (Washington Star, August 16, other members of the Arab bloc. This led 7 1979) to the crucial meeting of July 26. The meeting was discovered, the At- B~ Ronald Walters Although the substance of these discussions have not been made public by lanta Constitution reported, by Israeli in- " any U.S. sources, the Jerusalem Post re- telligence agents who were following he resignation of U. S.Ambassador ported that the meeting was "lengthy and Terzi, and apparently leaked the informa- . 'to the United Nations Andrew Young tion to Newsweek reporter Milan J. Kubic detailed." More importantly, the last meet- . is significant, not only for the inci- ing took place just before Arafat himself in Jersualem. When Newsweek inquired t dent itself, but for its catalytic effect flew to Austria for a meeting with Austrian about the meeting with the State Depart- Tupon the development of a Middle East ment, Assistant Secretary of State Charles Chancellor Bruno Kreisky and Willy policy in the Black community and the at- Brandt, former chancellor of West Ger- W. Maynes telephoned Young, who re- .tendent ramifications this carries for do- many, in early July 1979. This meeting sponded with the official version that the mestic Black-Jewish relations. produced a formal protest from the Gov- contact with Terzi was "inadvertent" and While it is a fact that on August 15, 1979, ernment of Israel to the Austrian Govern- that no substantive matters were dis- Young submitted his "non-negotiable" ment but no condemnation of the role of cussed. In Young's words, "Nobody was resignation to President Carter, accounts Ambassador Wolf. (Newsweek, Septem- misled everybody knew what was going of this event rarely provide the context ber 3, 1979). on," that he was attempting to secure a within which it occurred. This was a con- postponement of the debate on the reso- text essentially defined by the attempt of Meanwhile, also in July, Ambassador lution. the U. S. to fulfill one of two objectives of Young was conducting del icate negotia- Although reports of such Israeli intelli- the Camp David accords by bringing the tions on a resolution in the UN which gence operations inthe U. S.as suggested Palestinians into discussions on the ques- called for a halt to Israeli settlements on by the Atlanta Constitution have been de- 'tion of U.S.-Egyptian-Israel i proposals for the West Bank, but at the last minute, the nied by U.S.officials, Young later asserted :their "autonomy." U S. representatives were instructed to that he had read a "virtual verbatim" ac- One early actor in this diplomacy was abstain. Youngexplained that the PLOwas count of the meeting at Ambassador U S. Ambassador to Austria, Milton Wolf, considering an endorsement of UN Res- Bishara's house in a State Department an industrialist and prominent member of olution 242 (a policy objective of several report, which was circulating at the the Cleveland (Ohio) Jewish community, U.S. Administrations), but that it needed highest levels as of July 30, four days who was reported to have had three "un- some tangible encouragement, which was after the meeting and two weeks before authorized" meetings with representatives denied them by the U. S. abstention. his reprimand by Secretary of State Cyrus of the Palestine Liberation Organization (Newsweek, August 27, 1979). A second Vance for the meeting. (New York Times, (PLO) previous to the Young resignation resolution, sponsored by Kuwait, was August 19, 1979). The first two of these meetings occurred drafted that affirmed both Resolution 242 Nevertheless, Young said that when he inthe spring of 1979and were said to have (which contains the important provision was made aware that his "official ver- been "social" in nature, but the third ap- on the legitimacy and integrity of Israel's sion" of the Terzi meeting was not be- pears to have been more substantive. right to exist as a state), and the right of lieved, he told the full story to the Israeli State Department spokesman Tom Res- the Palestinians to a state. Young's view, representative to the UN, Yehuda Blum, ton said that Wolf was contacted by Isa however, was that this resolution would so that Ambassador Blum would not be Sartawi, an aide to PLO leader Yasser provoke an acrimonious debate in the under the impression that Young had Arafat, to "clarify the group's position on a Security Council (at its August 23 meet- really lied to him about the meeting. Blum certain issue," saying that Wolf simply ing) when the U.S. would be in the chair, reported the substance of his discussion listened but made no comment and took and would force the U. S. to cast an em- with Young to the Israeli Government, no substantive position. He (Wolf) merely barrassing veto of the proposal. He,there- whereupon it issued a public protest to repeated the standing U. S. policy of pro- fore, set out to negotiate support for the the U.S. This protest, together with a re- hibition on recognition of or negotiations procedural step of putting off the debate. port of the meeting, reportedly angered with the PLO until it recognizes Israel's Ambassador Abdullah Yacoub Bishara Secretary Vance, who called Young to a right to survival. Then, appearing to pro- of Kuwait was approached by Young with meeting at the White House with the Presi- vide the full weight of State Department the suggestion of postponing the debate dent on August 15 under a welter of press protection to Wolf's activities, Reston but Bishara refused, saying that the rec- reports which detailed the meeting be- added: "I want to stress that Ambassador ommendation of Shedi Labib Terzi, the tween Young and the PLO, and many of Wolf on no occasion has sought any meet- PLO observer to the UN, would be influ- which included calls for his resignation by ingswith or any dialogue with members of ential in such a procedural matter with journalists and prominent members of the

NEW DIRECTIONS OCTOBER 1979 8 Jewish communities in New York and this was done as a goodwill gesture to posal contained in the Framework for Florida. Young carried his resignation let- Andrew Young by saying: "we cannot Peace in the Middle East relative to the ter to the White House on the morning of imagine Ambassador Young being blem- Palestine question calls for four-power August 15 and the announcement was ished with a veto." (Newsweek, Septem- negotiations between Egypt, Israel, Jor- made by him at an emotional press con- ber 3, 1979). "We agreed to postpone the dan and elected representatives of the ference at the State Department later that vote out of deference to him. My only con- Palestinian peoples of the West Bank and day. cern was the enhancement of the status of Gaza. So far, however,Jordan has refused Ambassador Young." (New York Times, to recognize the Camp David agreements U. S. Middle East Policy August 25, 1979).Simi lar sentiments were and the accords have been denounced One of the major effects of the Young expressed by Terzi. by the PLO and also by pro-Western resignation was its impact upon the tenor While these sentiments were expressed Palestinian leaders. For example, the of U.S. policy in the Middle East, first which avowed deference to Young, it was moderate mayor of Bethlehem, Elias Freij, through actually achieving the objective also clear that another opportunity to press has said: "We'll accept nothing less than of postponing the debate on the resolu- the vote would arise in the near future, complete Israeli evacuation of this area tion offensive to the U. S.,and second, by and that an important intermediate objec- and Palestinian statehood. And remember opening up the possibility of a dialogue tive of the Arabs had been achieved-an my words: eventually, the Israelis and the with the PLO as a legitimate fact of U S. enhancement of the status of the PLO. U.S.will have to talk with the PLO." (News- diplomacy in the area. Given this fact, the additional time be- week, September 3, 1979). Also, King With regard to the UN Security Council came useful in cultivating allies outside of Hussein of Jordan used the forum pro- resolution, the U. S.attempted to seize the the Third World bloc and in enhancing the vided by the non-aligned meeting in initiative by sending Robert Strauss, spe- status of Arafat at the September non- Havana to again denounce the Camp cial U S envoy for Middle East,on a mis- aligned nations conference in Havana, David agreement and to call for a sion to obtain a compromise resolution Cuba. In this ironic way, the foreign policy Palestinian state. two days after Young's resignation. Al- objective of the U. S. was also achieved. That Andrew Young was following a though his trip was previously planned, The second objective of finding a line of U. S. policy with respect to the his immediate mission was to propose to formula for bringing the Palestinians into Palestinian issue has been made clear both Israel and Egypt that they support a the peace talks would be more difficult, from the evidence of the talks between new U. S.-sponsored resolution calling for and for an appropriate analysis one must Wolf and representatives of the PLO. But Palestinian rights, but stopping short of review the results of the Camp David ac- in addition, press reports indicated that endorsing the idea of a Palestinian state cords. The Camp David Summit of Sep- the meeting between Arafat and Chancel- while upholding the language of UN Res- tember 5-17,1978 resulted in two agree- lor Kreisky and Brandt, was characterized olutions 242 and 338. The initiative failed ments, a so-called Framework for Peace by Arafat as part of a U. S. plan to involve as both Prime Minister Begin and Presi- in the Middle East and a Framework for the Palestinians in the Camp David peace dent Sadat vetoed the proposal. Then the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty Be- negotiations. (Washington Post, August Strauss said himself that the mission had tween Egypt and Israel.The former agree- 13, 1979). The reaction of Israel was swift been ill-advised and that it was better to mentwas essentially concerned with three as its foreign policy spokesmen began to let the peace process between Egypt and issues: the Palestinian "autonomy" ques- suggest that they feared the U. S. would Israel work its course and not attempt a tion, the principles which would guide the not veto the intended Arab sponsored forced intervention of the Palestinian issue approach to peace treaties between Israel UN resolution to be considered on Au- which would possibly endanger their co- and other states in the region (such as gust 23. At the same time, the PLO Cen- operation. (Newsweek, September 3, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria), and the con- tral Council, which was meeting in Syria, 1979). Thus, the U. S. resolution was duct of Egypt and Israel in relation to these affirmed on August 11 that the UN resolu- withdrawn. issues (substantially established by their tion must call for an independent Palestin- An operative resolution on the Palestin- separate peace treaty). ian state. ian issue was proposed by Senegal in the The peace treaty between Egypt and Repeated Israeli questioning of the Security Council meeting of August 23, Israel was signed in Washington, D.C. proposed UN resolution and a possible after some debate on the language which on March 26,1979, thus fulfilling the first shift of U. S. policy toward the PLO be- contained references to Palestinian "self- "Framework" agreement, and pursuant to cause of the prospect of oil sanctions by determination, national independence the second agreement at Camp David, Arab states or the Palestinians them- and sovereignty." The Arab delegates, in- talks were started between the U.S., selves, led to a White House meeting be- cluding PLO's Terzi, declined to bring the Egypt, and Israel with respect to the tween Secretary Vance, President Carter resolution to a vote. Bishara suggested Palestinian question. The specific pro- and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.

NEW DIRECTIONS OCTOBER 1979 Ephraim Evron. The 90-minute session However, despite Kissinger's role, the Young had come to represent in his at- 9 reaffirmed the policy of the U. S. toward practice or policy was explicitly reaf- tempts at building linkages to Africa and the Middle East when at its conclusion firmed by President Carter in the context the Third World. The reason for the reac- Secretary Vance said: "I want to state of his recent assurances to Israel that the tion lay in the fact that Young, more than categorically that there has been no U. S.had not in fact changed its policy. He any other person in the Black community, change in our policy toward Israel. It re- said: "I will not deal with the PLO unless had played an early and fundamental role mains our pol icy to work toward a compre- they do two things: accept the right of in bringing Blacks into the Carter electoral hensive peace settlement which is based Israel to exist, which they have not yet column in the presidential election of on UN. Security Council Resolutions 242 been willing to acknowledge, and accept 1976. It was he who urged other Black and 338." (L.A. Times, August 9, 1979). the fact that United Nations Resolution pol itical leaders to stay with Carter after Apparently unsatisfied with the assur- 242 is a document binding on them. They the Florida primary. Then he smoothed the ances by Vance, editors of major Ameri- have got to accept 242 and accept the way for Carter's nomination by working can newspapers asked the President right of Israel to exist. This is the commit- behind the scenes to quiet Black discon- about his view of the Palestinian question ment we have made. We have never devi- tent over Carter's use of the term "ethnic a few days later, and he responded: "I am ated from it. We are not going to deviate purity" in regard to neighborhood resi- against any creation of a separate Pales- from it." (New York Times, August 12, dence, and helped Carter gain access to tinian state. I don't think it would be good 1979). local Black neighborhoods. Having for the Palestinians. I don't think it would Against this background, it is important played such a role, Young gained a spe- be good for Israel. Idon't think it would be to point out that at the closing minutes of cial place in the Carter entourage and good for the Arab neighbors of such a the August 23 session, after the with- esteem from the cand idate and later the state." (New York Times, August 12, 1979) drawal of the resolution, Ambassador President. In add ition, much has been made of the Young made what amounted to a farewell Black voters, however, expected that 1975 policy enunciated by former Secre- speech as chairman of the Security Coun- Young would use this prominence and his tary of State Henry Kissinger relating to a cil session. In his remarks,he emotionally political influence as a member of the prohibition on relations with the PLO.The referred to the policy which prohibited U. S. Congress to broker badly needed document, a Memorandum of Agreement contacts with the PLO "It's a ridiculous benefits from the Administration in the between the U. S.and Israel relating to the policy of not talking to the PLO," suggest- domestic arena. They became somewhat 1975 Geneva Peace Conference, states ing equally that it was ridiculous for many bewildered and upset when Young took in part: "The United States will continue states at the table not to have relations all of his credibility and placed it in the to adhere to its present pol icy with respect with Israel. (New York Times, August 25, lowly regarded [at that time] United Na- to the Palestine Liberation Organization, 1979). tions job at the request of the President. whereby it will not recognize or negotiate It is worth noting that the lack of precise This was, many felt, an unfortunate con- with the Palestine Liberation Organization, definition on whether or not the contact cession of dubious value to the national so long as the Palestine Liberation Organ- between Young and Terzi constituted a Black community. But Young's activities ization does not recognize Israel's right to "procedural" or "substantive" contact and as a former aide to Martin Luther King, exist and does not accept Security Coun- what kinds of contacts were specifically gave him strong ties to the Black commu- cil Resolution 242 and 338. The United prohibited by reference to the Kissinger nity, and his performance at the UN. States Govemment will consult fully and memorandum and subsequent statements actually boosted his image. seek to concert its position and strategy by the Carter Administration, give the ap- Notwithstanding his new venue and at the Geneva Peace Conference on this pearance of the Administration having visibility, there was a great deal of ambi- issue with the Government of Israel." made up a definition to fit its embarrass- guity in the Black community about Young. While the prohibition on contacts is ment in the Young case. In fact, the State When he said that the British were "rac- described in the memorandum as a "pol- Department spokesman said the ban re- ists," that there were "hundreds perhaps icy" it may have had the status of a "prac- fers to "any substantive contact" between thousands of political prisoners in the tice" in the absence of any other evidence the PLO and U.S. representatives. (Wash- U. S.," that the Cubans were "a force for to the contrary. Also, it is clear that this ington Post, August 15, 1979). But the stability in Angola," and that Ayatolla agreement was drafted in relation to the meaning of "substantive" is as yet unclear. Khomeini was a "saint," there was instant impend ing Geneva PeaceConference be- identification with these statements in the tween the U. S. and the Soviet Union, Black Politics Black community, and the occasional which may have the legal effect of limiting The second major impact of Ambassador conflict they produced provided Blacks its application to other diplomatic Young's resignation was felt in the Black with the periodic opportunity to rally to situations. community which, accurately or not, Young's defense.

NEW DIRECTIONS OCTOBER 1979 10 At the same time, there was considera- interest groups in the country. He also tied • Encourage them to recognize the hu- ble feeling that both his status as an am- this to the prevailing disaffection with man rights of the Israelis, includin8 bassador and his former role as a minister Jews, which Black people had come to their right to exist as a sovereign state, and disciple of non-violence, would limit feel as a result of their opposition to is- his understanding of why African libera- sues such as school busing, job and edu- The Israel Meeting tion movements turned to armed struggle cational quotas as expressed inthe Bakke, • Reiterate our support of Israel as a free to win their political independence-es- OeFunis and Weber cases, and their pas- sovereign state pecially in Southern Africa. Perhaps the sive acceptance of the role played by the • Clarify our support of PLO human crux of this problem was his attempt to Israeli Government in South Africa. rights approach what had been declared a revo- But the anger was also directed toward • Communicate our concern about lutionary situation in terms and strategies the reason for Young's resignation, as Israel's relations with South Africa of the American civil rights movement. Joseph Lowery, president of SCLC, said: • Discuss com.monobjectives of ending Equally disconcerting to the liberation "If we have to maintain your (Jews) friend- racial and religious discrimination. movements and their supporters in the ship by refraining from speaking to Arabs, United States and around the world was then that friendship must be reassessed." The beginning of the week following his attitude toward the role of American (Washington Star, August 16, 1979).Jack- Young's resignation, the SCLC delega- businesses in Southern Africa, and his son was of the view that Young had been tion met with both the PLO representative role, together with that of his deputy, "made the fall guy for a shift in U. S. Pol- Terzi and Israel's UN Ambassador Blum Donald McHenry, in attempting to set the icy" toward the Middle East. A chorus of in New York on the same day. The meeting terms for peace negotiations in Zimbabwe statements by other figures followed, but with Terzi was relatively cordial, ending and Namibia, which were not always fa- two decisions were made, one to call a with the PLO official thanking the SCLC vorable to the interest of the liberation meeting of the national Black member- for their understanding of their plight, but movements. ship, the second was for the SCLC to have refusing commitment on the question of Nevertheless, the day following his a meeting with both the PLO observer and recognition of Israel or forswearing violent resignation, a hastily assembled meeting the Israeli representative to the UN the tactics, for the moment. In contrast, the of Black leaders- Vernon Jordan, Coretta following week. meeting with Blum was more tense, with King, Bayard Rustin, Eddie Williams and The rationale for the meetings was is- Blum appearing to patronize the SCLC others-was convened in New York. A sued by Congressman Walter Fauntroy of delegation for its lack of experience in relatively weak one-pace statement was the District of Columbia, and chairman of Middle East politics and its temerity for issued after the meeting. It upheld Young's the Board of SCLC. He suggested that meeting with the PLO representative. integrity and accompl ishments, ex- Blacks should become "students of the Blum's subsequent statements after the pressed regret at his resignation and at Middle East" situation because our own meeting deplored the fact of the SCLC the President's acceptance of it, ques- vital interest in peace were grounded in meeting with Terzi. tioned the difference between Young's the realization that continued conflict (It is patently ironic that it has been the treatment and that of Ambassador Wolf, there would jeopardize U.S. energy re- long experience of Blacks which has led and expressed the hope that this incident sources from that region which would have them to see the PLO in a different light would not "exacerbate tensions between a disadvantageous impact upon Blacks than others, rather than their inexperience. the Black and Jewish communities." economically, and perhaps dispropor- And Young was reflecting this experience At the time of his resignation, the South- tionately affect the actual lives of Blacks when he identified, in his resignation ern Christian Leadership Conference, in the event the U. S. is drawn into a war valedictory at the State Department, with SCLC (the organization with which he there. The specific goals for the two meet- the PLO as an "oppressed people." Simi- had been strongly identified in the past) ings were listed as follows: larly, the principle of self-determination was having its annual meeting in Norfolk, has loomed largest in the struggle of Va., and Young had been scheduled to The PLO Meeting Blacks in the U. S. to support the just give the dinner address the following aspirations of Africans for independent • Understand their position evening. His cancellation of that address status from the earl iest stirrings of Marcus brought the Rev. Jesse Jackson into that • Communicate our support of their hu- Garvey to the present day struggle in role. In his remarks, Jackson correctly man rights Southern Africa. How then, one must ask, identified one source of anger in the • Communicate our continued support is it possible for Blacks to betray this Black community as he pointed to the of non-violence as the most accepta- legacy when it comes to the Palestinians strong possibility that Young was forced ble means of resolving conflict and af- or any other peoples struggling for outof his UN position by powerful Jewish fecting change freedom").

NEW DIRECTIONS OCTOBER 1979

~~~------~------.-- -- Clearly, Blacks are used to the idea the region through their merci less military war when most African countries broke 11 that the definition of "terrorist" or "mili- assaults upon suspected PLO bases, uti- diplomatic relations with Israel- has tant" resides not only in the fact, but in the lizing weapons provided by the United brought it into closer relations with South power to make such definitions States. Africa. For example, Israel is reported to operational. After the meetings, with the PLO and have provided South Africa with sophisti- cated electronic equipment and techni- (In fact, CIA spying on Black Americans in Israeli representatives, Lowery explained cians to electrify its border with Mozam- the late 1960s and early 1970s was ra- that they did not meet with these two ad- bique to stop the infiltration of liberation tionalized by then CIA Director Richard versaries as negotiators schooled in the fighters, and provided military equipment Helms to his skeptical subordinates by details of the Middle East, but as "moral such as sea-to-sea rockets for the South directing them to change the designation ambassadors" seeking peace in the tradi- African Navy. of their operations from ones concemed tion of the legacy of Martin Luther King,Jr. with "militant groups" to "Terrorism," The Still, the press and other members of On the other hand, South Africa has Washington Post, September 8, 1979). the Jewish community denounced the supplied Israel with vitally needed en- SCLC delegation for this "foray into for- ergy supplies such as coal and uranium, In the 1940s, the British considered the eign policy," apparently ignorant of the and the two countries have opened up Zionist movement led by the Irgun Zvei fact that Blacks had been involved in trade in a variety of other commodities Leumi as a "terrorist" organization, and U.S. foreign policy since 1869 with the and signed air transport agreements fa- the present Israeli Prime Ministerwas one appointment of the first Black American cilitating trade and tourist travel arrange- of its key leaders. Today, the PLO, which ambassador, and since 1919 when a ments. Finally, there are rumors that the considered itself at war with the Israelis, Black organization-the NAACP-spon- two may be sharing nuclear technology, is considered a "terrorist" organization sored W.E.B. DuBois in his formation of given their mutual desire for the acquisi- just as the Patriotic Front is considered the first Pan African Conference in Paris. tion of substantial nuclear power fac iIities, "terrorist" by Zimbabwe/Rhodesia sym- That conference had the specific inten- and similar security situations. pathizers, and the African National Con- tion of influencing U.S. policy toward a gress and the Pan African Congress are To continue with the events of Black just settlement of the African colonial politics, at the larger August 22 meeting considered "terrorist" by the South Afri- question as a part of the peace agree- cans. These labels find their way easily of more than 100 delegates representing ments ending World War I. (See Jake C. various organizations, the level of anger into common usage by supporters of Miller, The Black Presence in American Israel, South Africa and Zimbabwe- which issued forth from the participants Foreign Affairs, University Press of Amer- Rhodesia in the United Statestoday. was strong and unmistakably blunt ica, 1978; and Adekunle Ajala, Pan- What is to some extent puzzling is that against both Israel and the American Atricanism: Evolution, Progress and Pros- the experience of those who are supposed Jewish community for their role in the pects, Andre Deutsch, London, 1973). to be professional foreign policymakers Young affair, and for their opposition has not led them to recognize that the ex- It is worth noting that no substantial to Black domestic causes. And while the treme claims of combatants-such as that period in the 20th Century has elapsed attendance and exchanges were remarka- implied in Article 27 of the PLO Charter when there was not an organized Black ble, the drafters of the statements worked that it would liquidate Israel-are a nec- group with the stated intention of influenc- to tone down the fervor of the three state- essary part of the psycho logical resources ing the outcome of U.S. policy toward ments which were issued, while retaining of relatively powerless groups, and that Africa, and many of their activities took their content. the process of achieving a stage of nego- into account other areas of the world as The statements, nevertheless, though well. tiation requires a political understanding overlapping considerably, were relatively of such issues as well as the literal inter- As a continuation of this thrust, the substantive in pointing out (1) the contri- pretation. The extraordinary position of SCLC adroitly tied the issue of the Middle bution of Andrew Young to U.S. foreign the United States is that it has been ma- East to Africa by pointing to growing rela- policy and Black pride in his achieve- neuvered into a foreign policy position tions between Israel and South Africa, ments, (2) the arrogance of Jews in chal- based on the Israeli interpretations of which has had a small but significant lenging the right of Blacks to participate PLO objectives, and appears unwilling to Jewish population for nearly 50 years. in shaping American policy in any part of use its dominant position with regard to While this Jewish community has had to the world, (3) the forgotten role of the late Israel to moderate its behavior, or its view tread lightly between the issues of its own Dr. Ralph Bunche.' and the assertion of a of the world. For example, the result is, in prosperity and opposition to apartheid, role by Blacks in foreign policy matters in the words of a U. S. official in Lebanon, the growing isolation of Israel from the view of the disproportionate impact of the Israelis have become the oppressor in Middle East and Africa-since the 1967 negative foreign policy decisions on the

NEW DIRECTIONS OCTOBER 1979 12 Black community, (4) the abysmal role of sociologist Dr. Kenneth Clark, in fact, de- National opinion polls had already il- the State Department in its conduct of for- scribed the Black unity meetings as a lustrated significant Black losses of sup- eign policy and its inclusion of Blacks in "declaration of independence." port for Carter and the traditional Black substantive decision-making roles-even Although in historical perspective it leadership organizations had adopted a with regard to African affairs, and (5) the might be viewed as a curious outcome "wait and see" posture toward his presi- Jewish defection in America from liberal that the Congressional Black Caucus, dential cand idacy in 1980. In add ition to causes, as evidenced by their leadership CBC, did not immediately issue a state- this, a recent poll by The Gallup Organi- in the neo-conservative movement and ment in response to Young's resignation, zation indicated that the Black approval opposition to vital public policy issues af- two factors account for this result. The first rating for Carter was about what it had fecting Blacks." is that most members of the CBC, includ- been before the Young resignation (37 In a subsequent meeting between rep- ing the chairwoman, Cardiss Collins, were percent), but one-fourth of those ques- resentative Black leaders and leaders of either out of the city or the country during tioned said the Young affair had made the American Jewish community, Jews the Congressional recess and could not some difference in their view of the Presi- were at pain to make two points: the first immediately organize to respond. But the dent, possibly signaling further defections is that they continued to deplore the legiti- more important problem is that key mem- later. macy which Blacks had given to the bers of the group were fearful of any state- While the main findings of the poll indi- Palestine Liberation Organization, and mentwhichwould have reflected upon the cated that the 532 Blacks interviewed the second was that in a meeting called Jewish problem due to the financial and were uninterested or uninformed about by Robert Strauss (just one hour before electoral support Jews constituted in their Middle East politics, most confirmed the the Young resignation was announced) home districts and in the Congress. Here, existence of tensions between Blacks and with a representative group of Jewish or- prominent exceptions who pushed for Jews in America in the areas of quotas for ganizations, most of them pointed out that forceful response were Ronald Dellums, jobs or education, and Jewish business they did not favor the resignation of Parren Mitchell, Charles Diggs and operations in Black areas. (Newsweek, Young, that they were more concerned Walter Fauntroy, with all but Diggs issu- September 3, 1979). about the perceptible shift in U.S. policy ing individual statements. With the Black leadership focusing on toward the Palestinians. Theodore Mann, the Black-Jewish split due to the Young chairman of the Council of Presidents of Conclusion affair, the issue of presidential responsi- Jewish Organizations made this point in Much of the speculation in the national bility has faded into the background. This subsequent press interviews. media and in the Black community has may have been due, in no small measure, But while the majority of Black leader- focused on how the events described to Young's statement that his resignation ship had the purpose of subscribing to above might affect the support by Blacks was "non-negotiable" and his immediate the wishes of Andrew Young to attempt to for the renomination efforts of President announcement of support for the Presi- ameliorate any tensions between Blacks Carter, and what eventual dynamics dent-as well as the reluctance of the and Jews caused by his departure, it was might result from the apparent breach be- Black leadership to directly challenge the also clear that a significant group per- tween Blacks and Jews over the Middle President over the Young affair. The state- ceived of the series of events of the previ- East. ments "deplore" the President's accept- ous week as an opportunity to playa more To begin with, the question arises be- ance of Young's resignation and question formidable role in the shaping of U.S.for- cause of the signs previously surfacing irregularities in his treatment. And the eign policy and to initiate a strategy of that Blacks, a vital constituency for Carter President's statement the following week "bargaining" with the American Jews con- in 1976, have been increasingly dissatis- at EmoryUniversity contained no explana- cerning the continuing needs of Blacks fied with the attention of his Administra- tions, rather he appeared more the arbiter and the current role of Jewish leaders in tion to Black needs and the lack of policy- of the Black-Jewish fight than a man yield- the American political economy. Noted directed social changes. The Carter ing to pressures from the press, State Administration has made its first priority Department policy elite, the Israeli Gov- 1 Dr. Bunche, former chairman of the Political Sci- stemming the growing inflation, and al- ernment and the American Jewish com- ence Department at Howard, and deputy secretary though Carter spokespersons point to munity to fire Young. Perhaps the reason general of the UN, won the Nobel Peace Prize for his negotiations which led to the cease fire between the some accomplishments, the lack of suffi- for this is that, as was suggested in News- Arab states and Israel in 1939. cient attention to Black and other minority week, presidential advisers consider the 2. As an example of this phenomenon, see a recent problems through massive intervention departure of Young a plus for Carter's re- book, Affirmative Discrimination, by Nathan Glazer, a former leading American Jewish liberal, now a leader policies has made Blacks strongly feel election possibilities, because Carter in the neo-conservative movement. The book presents the sting of unemployment and the rav- "demonstrated leadership" in his drive to a powerful indictment against affirmative action ages of income loss and job immobility. reposition his Administration for a second

NEW DIRECTIONS OCTOBER 1979 13 assault upon the White House. (News- the formation of the state of Israel and the pecially since several key African states week, August 27,1979). dispossession of the Palestinians; the were simultaneously at the Havana non- aligned nations meeting where they In any case, there is the open question various agreements promulgated by the Nixon/Ford and Carter Administrations joined in the denunciations of the Camp considering meetings, such as the Black and especially the Camp David accords David accords, and in putting Egypt's Leadership Forum Summit in September, membership in that organization on a and the National Black Political Conven- and their implications; the nature of the probationary status. It is predictable that tion early in 1980, whether Young's sup- PLO, including the view of other Palestini- such a suggestion would have a poor report for the President maps out a collision ans toward that organization; the specific definitions of "autonomy" rather than ception in Africa at this time. At best the course between him and a substantial value of such a proposal is highly de- portion of Black America on the question statehood; the role of Egypt in the peace visive to African unity). of symbolic versus substantive dividends process; the attitude of other Arab states in exchange for the Black vote. Should toward the Camp David accords; the PLO such a conflict materialize, the ultimate and the Palestinian peoples in their areas; the position of Blacks on UN. resolutions Finally, it is doubtful that either the resig- meaning of the Young resignation is that nation of Andrew Young or the salience of it set loose a powerful contender for the relating to the Midd Ie East; the relationship of the Middle East problem to Africa; Middle East politics will continue to have political allegiance of Blacks in domestic high priority in the context of the Ameri- pol itics among the existing leadership the stakes of the American Black community in the U.S. reliance on the Middle can Blackagenda.lt is relatively predicta- cadre. East nations for oiI; and, the function of ble that as the specific issues in the Mid- Secondly, it is now a matter of common Israel in the strategic interest of the West- dle East conflict, presidential politics and parlance that the Young affair has had the em states-among many others. the Jewish-Black debate run their course, effect of both legitimizing the PLO among Here, the call by Young, during his divisions will occur within the ranks of the Blacks and making it possible for them to early September leadership of a Presi- temporari Iyunified Black leadership itself. discuss openly the dimensions of Black- dential trade mission to Africa, for African In fact, it would be less than accurate to Jewish relations previously prohibited by countries to restore diplomatic and other suggest that such differences of opinion the fear of,withdrawal of Jewish support relations with Israel bears serious con- and approach will not be dominant as one and charges of "Black anti-Semitism." In sideration. The most important question is confronts the question of how the status of this, the willingness of Blacks to rally to why, and what would be the stakes in- Blacks might be improved in relation to the support of the Palestinian people-as volved. For example, shouldn't African the politics of 1980 as the immediate a similarly oppressed people (described countries insist upon their own doctrine of arena. by Young) through open contacts with the Israel's recognition of a state for the The Black leadership, however, has PLO and other Arab groups-sets up a Palestinian people, the cessation of com- shown the capacity for mobilization and a serious responsibility for Blacks to be- mando and bombing raids into Lebanon, surprising degree of unanimity in its come more knowledgeable about the poli- compliance with the mandatory UN. arms recognition of the Jewish problem. This tics of the Middle East. Otherwise these embargo against South Africa (including problem, however, may be seen more events would only constitute a temporary the cessation of all nuclear relationships) clearly as a response to neo-conservatism response to the problem of an individual and cessation of the supply of military itself rather than a rise in anti-Jewish Black and wou Id appear to have exploited equipment to the so-called Zimbabwe/ sentiment, but to that extent a formidable the struggle of the Palestinian people for Rhodesia, and U.S. revocation of the onus rests upon the Jewish leadership of the right to a homeland which was taken doctrine of no-contact with the PLO? It this movement and the challenge to it by away from them by force. This would cor- would appear that African states might other Jews stiII comm itted to fundamental rect the highly generalized level of the ini- question such a suggestion of renewed social change. This fact should result in tial treatment of the Middle East problem relations with Israel as inconsistent with dialogue because of the hard fact that, by Black leaders in their statements, and their previous role in the Middle East con- despite the significant Islamic commu- cause them to reply on more substantive flict and overly gratuitious at best. nity among Blacks, Arab states have been inputs from scholars, politicians and oth- less than sensitive to Black needs or po- ers, but especially the people of the (The suggestion by Young of the renewal tential themselves and substantially in- Middle East themselves. of African ties with Israel was first put to sensitive to the needs of Africans on the Key subjects in this regard would in- President William Tolbert of Liberia last continent who are suffering from the im- volve the Black response to such matters month. But while Tolbert was intially en- pact of European colonialism com- as the history of the Middle East conflict thusiastic, he quickly grew cautious about pounded by high oil prices. Arab states and the role of U.S. policy; the process of the implications of such a proposal, es- are said to playa significant role in sup-

NEW DIRECTIONS OCTOBER 1979 14 plying South Africa with oil and in pur- chasing South African gold which keeps the South African economy afloat. It is possible to predict, because many Arabs practice the same racism as Europeans, that they will not replace, nor indeed be able to replace the relationship between Blacks and Jews in America. Yet, organizations representing the two million Arab-Americans have recently shown a welcome willingness to enter into a mutually beneficial dialogue with Blacks. Such a dialogue might possibly convey to Arabs the depth of Black feeling with regard to these important issues. In the short run, however, recognizing that some issues may be irreconcilable, a way must be found to transform the capac ityfor mobil ization among Blacks in this instance to confront both traditional domestic concerns where both American- Arabs and Jews might alternately be part of a coalition with Blacks, and to map out a broader international agenda which might encompass wider issues of life and death-such as the size of the military budget and its use in fomenting weapons of destruction, the arms race with the Soviet Union and attendant political problems surrounding the limitation of strategic arms, the state of the international economy and its relation to the economic status of Blacks and other broad issues. The resignation of Andrew Young is an unfortunate event because of his success in raising difficult questions to test the standards of human rights proposed as the basis for U. S. policy around the world, and because he establ ished relations with Africa which have helped to concretize the interests of all Blacks. But the real legacy of his resignation maywell be its catalytic effect in a process of political development whereby Blacks have been enabled to see more clearly the shape of their own interests both in domestic and in international politics. 0

Ronald Walters, Ph.D. is associate professor, Department of Political Science, Howard University.

NEW DIRECTIONS OCTOBER 1979