Eec Plans Compromise to Satisfy Israel on European Participation in Sinai Force

The European Economic Community’s (EEC) 10-member states are due to resume consultations this week on the participation by France, Britain, Holland and Italy in the 2,500 peace-keeping force which is due to patrol the Sinai after Israel’s withdrawal next April.

European diplomats say that a compromise solution “will probably be found” in spite of Israel’s announced intention to “disqualify” from the force the contingents of any countries which refer to the Venice declaration or the Saudi peace plan as a venue for future peace talks.

The European diplomats told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the suggested compromise will probably consist of a two-part declaration. The first, approving the four states’ participation in the force, will refer exclusively to the Camp David agreement and resolution 242 and would thus fulfill Israel’s wishes as expressed by Premier Menachem Begin and Foreign Minister Yitzhek Shamir. The second part of the joint declaration would

consist of a more general statement which will refer to the joint European declaration issued in Venice last year.

A joint European statement backing the four countries’ participation in the Sinai force was held up earlier this week because the new Greek government objected. European diplomats believe that the Greeks are now ready to agree to the compromise solution now under discussion.

EGYPT APPEALED TO FRANCE

The four nations’ decision to join the Sinai force originated from an Egyptian appeal to France. It was first made by President Anwar Sadat last year but turned down by then French President Valery Giscard d’ Estaing. Renewed this summer it was accepted by Socialist President Francois Mitterrand who reiterated his promise to Sadat’s successor, Hosni Mubarak. It was at France’s request that Britain, Holland and Italy agreed to send either men or logistic support.

Israel, which would have preferred to have the force consist exclusively of troops from the U.S. and the British Commonwealth (Canada, Australia and New Zealand) nonetheless agreed last month to the West European participation.

French and Soviet foreign ministry officials reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East last week within the framework of the Franco-Soviet Joint Consultation Agreement. French and Soviet sources said after the two-day conference that “there has been a measure of agreement” on a number of points. The Franco-Soviet consultations are strictly informative and not binding on either of the two governments.