Accord Talks Proceed Smoothly

The Israeli-Egyptian military working group, meeting in Geneva since Sept, 9, is drawing up the blueprint for the final protocol on implementation of the second Sinai disengagement accord for a scheduled signing Sept. 22. The delegations meanwhile are exploring in depth some unresolved items such as the switch-over of the Abu Rodeis oilfields and the stationing of UNEF forces along the southern Sinai coastal road.

As the agreement stands now, the signature of the implementation protocols would automatically start a count-down for Israel’s withdrawal the creation of the buffer zone, the stationing of the UNEF troops, the handing over of the Abu Rodeis oilfields and the setting up of the surveillance stations.

U.S. CONGRESS CASTS A SHADOW

The delegations are working on a purely technical basis, isolated from political developments but the talks in recent days have been held under the shadow of the U.S. Congress’ upcoming decisions on U.S. contributions to the withdrawal agreement. Conference sources told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that Jerusalem and Cairo may decide to postpone implementation of the agreement pending the Congressional decisions, but that possibility has not been discussed at the Geneva talks.

Relations between heads of the two delegations have improved markedly since the start of the talks. Both delegations consult regularly with Harold Saunders, U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of State, who keeps Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger informed of all developments.

The most touchy issue so far involves stationing of Egyptian police in the southern area. Egypt claims it can place as many policemen in an Egyptian sovereign area as it wishes–believed to involve some 1500–while Israel insists on a much smaller number, A compromise is understood to be in the works.