Egypt Suspends Military Talks That Had Been Expected to Resume Shortly

Israeli officials are at a loss to explain Egypt’s sudden suspension of the joint military committee talks in Cairo that had been expected to resume shortly. Cairo radio announced last night that the talks would not continue until some progress is made in the political negotiations which have been stalled since President Anwar Sadat recalled his delegation from Jerusalem last Jan. 18.

Defense Minister Ezer Weizman, who heads Israel’s military negotiating team, said he would make no comment until he was officially informed by Egypt that the military talks were off. He advised all concerned to keep cool. But official circles here admitted they were surprised by the latest Egyptian move.

Weizman and his aides went to Cairo on Jan. 31 for the second phase of the military talks. They remained there one day and returned to Israel after the meetings were adjourned pending the outcome of Sadat’s trip to Washington. But Weizman and his Egyptian counterpart, War Minister Mohammed Gamassy, both indicated that the military negotiations in Cairo would be resumed regardless of the status of the political talks. Observers noted that the Egyptian announcement contradicted Sadat’s own remarks before he left Egypt a week ago that the military teams would continue their deliberations.

Some sources suggested today that Egypt was engaged in another one of its surprise tactics aimed at persuading the U.S. to apply more pressure on Israel to soften its position. The political talks remain in limbo while the U.S. is employing shuttle diplomacy to bring Israel and Egypt together an a joint declaration of principles. Assistant Secretary of State Alfred L. Atherton undertook that task before Sadat’s visit to the U.S. and is expected to resume it shortly.