Sadat Raises Possibility of Treaty Being Signed in Jerusalem and Cairo

President Anwar Sadat has raised the possibility that the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty will be signed by himself and Premier Menachem Begin in Jerusalem and Cairo in addition to the signing ceremonies with President Carter in Washington next Monday afternoon. A message to that effect was conveyed yesterday to Begin through the U.S. Embassy. Sadat said he was prepared to discuss it with Begin when they meet in Washington next week.

Begin himself had suggested dual ceremonies in the two Mideast capitals a week ago when the final issues delaying a treaty were resolved. Sadat said at the time that he preferred a single ceremony in Washington, inasmuch as Carter will not make another trip to the Middle East. Nevertheless, Begin felt that Sadat might change his mind and appointed a special committee Monday, headed by Cabinet Secretary Arye Noor, to make arrangements for a treaty signing ceremony in Jerusalem. If it materializes, Begin would go to Cairo later to sign the Arabic version of the pact.

It was learned, meanwhile, that President Yitzhak Navon will sign the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty in his capacity as Chief of State after Begin returns from Washington next week. Attorney General Yitzhak Zamir decided yesterday that Navon’s signature was necessary to validate the document It was not known whether a special ceremony will be held or if Navon will simply sign the treaty at his residence.

PREPARING MASS CELEBRATIONS

Naor’s committee was also assigned the task of preparing” mass celebrations in a carnival atmosphere” in Jerusalem whether or not the treaty is signed locally. The committee intends to arrange mass public receptions along the highway from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem when Begin leaves and returns from the treaty signing in Washington. Gala events are planned in the capital in which some of Israel’s leading entertainers will participate. The committee is also considering declaring a national holiday when Begin returns.

In other peace related events, Israel will pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives on the long road to peace by laying flower wreaths on the graves of all Israel Defense Force soldiers who fell in Israel’s wars, it was decided by the committee in charge of the peace ceremonies. In addition, the Israel postal service will issue a special peace stamp, depicting the Western Wall with a piece of paper stuck between its stones, carrying the word “peace” in both Hebrew and Arabic.

LARGE DELEGATION HEADING FOR WASHINGTON

Meanwhile, Begin and his wife, Aliza are preparing to leave for the U.S. Friday. Begin will be accompanied by his personal secretary, Yehiel Kadishai. In addition, a long list of Cabinet ministers and senior government officials will attend the signing ceremonies in Washington. It includes Deputy Premier Yigael Yadin, Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan, Defense Minister Ezer Weizman, Knesset Speaker Yitzhak Shamir, Labor Party chairman Shimon Peres, former Premier Yitzhak Rabin and World Zionist Organization and Jewish Agency Executives chairman Leon Dulzin. Education Minister Zevulun Hammer will serve as Acting Premier in the absence of Begin and Yadin.