Talks aimed at wrapping up the Taba dispute ran into a snag Friday, when the Egyptians suddenly refused further discussion until Israel submits a specific, binding timetable for its withdrawal from the tiny enclave on the Gulf of Eilat.
The demand was voiced, reportedly in angry tones, by the head of the Egyptian delegation, Nabil el-Arabi.
It was backed up in Cairo Saturday by Egyptian Foreign Minister Esmat Abdel Meguid, who said Israel must withdraw before the talks can continue.
Taba was awarded to Egypt by international arbitration last year. The bilateral talks that began there on Thursday were called to settle relatively minor issues left unresolved by the arbitration process.
They seemed to be making progress until the abrupt halt Friday. Israel is hoping the two negotiating teams will be able to resume their talks Monday, as scheduled.
Yet to be settled is the exact location of 185 yards of border running from Marker 91 on a sand hill to the edge of the sea. Marker 91 is the last border marker set in place under the arbitration procedure.
Other outstanding matters include access to the Avia Sonesta Hotel and the Rafi Nelson Vacation Village, two resorts built by Israelis in Taba some years ago. The Israelis would like to retain management of the two facilities under Egyptian ownership.
Israel wants its tourists to have free access to Taba, without passports or visas. The Egyptians may be willing to grant that right only to day-trippers.
In addition, there are questions of policing the region, customs inspection and currency exchange.
Meanwhile, private negotiations are taking place between the Israeli owner and operator of the Sonesta, Eli Paposhado, and prospective Egyptian buyers.
Neither the Israeli nor Egyptian governments exercise any authority over them. Egyptian law requires Egyptian ownership, but it would not prevent Israelis from retaining a 49 percent interest in the hotel, as they hope to do.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
