We're going to take a brief look at some of the accomplishments during Jimmy Carter's administration.

THE CAMP DAVID ACCORDS

The Framework for Peace in the Middle East

Muhammad Anwar al-Sadat, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Menachem Begin, Prime Minister of Israel, met with Jimmy Carter, President of the United States of America, at Camp David from September 5 to September 17,1978

After twelve days of secret negotiations at Camp David, the Israeli-Egyptian negotiations were concluded by the signing at the White House of two agreements. The first dealt with the future of the Sinai and peace between Israel and Egypt, to be concluded within three months. The second was a framework agreement establishing a format for the conduct of negotiations for the establishment of an autonomy regime in the West Bank and Gaza. The Israel-Egypt agreement clearly defined the future relations between the two countries, all aspects of withdrawal from the Sinai, military arrangements in the peninsula such as demilitarization and limitations, as well as the supervision mechanism.

After four wars during 30 years, despite intensive human efforts, the Middle East, which is the cradle of civilization and the birthplace of three great religions, does not enjoy the blessings of peace. The people of the Middle East yearn for peace so that the vast human and natural resources of the region can be turned to the pursuits of peace and so that this area can become a model for coexistence and cooperation among nations.

THE PANAMA CANAL TREATY

Anger flared in the 1960s and led to anti-American riots. The U.S. and Panamanian governments began to work together to solve the territorial issue. In 1977, U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed a treaty which agreed to return 60% of the Canal Zone to Panama in 1979. The canal and remaining territory, known as the Canal Area, would be returned to Panama at noon (local Panama time) on December 31, 1999.

Carter brought to fruition the long negotiations over the Panama Canal treaties by persuading the Senate to ratify them. Conservative forces severely criticized the treaties as a "sellout" of vital American interests, and the issue had a significant impact in some areas of the South and West in the 1980 congressional and presidential campaigns.

Carter also attempted an overhaul of the tax system, but Congress rejected the idea in favor of tax cuts. Carter's popularity was hampered throughout 1980 because of the difficulty in ending the hostage crisis in Iran. It was also hampered because the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led him to reinstate draft registration, boycott the summer Olympics in Moscow, and cut domestic spending in favor of military spending. In the November 4, 1980 election, Carter was defeated by Ronald Reagan. On January 20, 1981, just minutes after Carter left office, Iran released the hostages.

Since leaving the presidency, Carter has continued the work that stood out during his presidency, acting as a mediator to help bring about peaceful settlements to disputes throughout the world.

Click on the seal and we'll find out what President Carter has been doing since he left office. He has not been idle.