An Egyptian envoy indicated after a two-hour meeting with Premier Menachem Begin today that Israel and Egypt are on the way to resolving differences which have strained their relations in recent weeks. He brought Begin a message from President Hosni Mubarak.
Osama el-Baz, a top political aide to Mubarak, told reporters here that he believed Begin was “quite satisfied with the talks and exchange of messages and (felt) that all outstanding issues will be solved.” He made it clear that the issues include the dispute over the international boundary line in the Toba region near Israel’s Red Sea port of Eilat.
El-Baz did not say whether he had discussed with Begin the matter of Mubarak’s projected visit to Israel. It has contributed to the strains between the two countries because Mubarak refuses to go to Jerusalem and Israel insists that he do so or not come at all.
El-Baz was dispatched from Cairo by Mubarak yesterday apparently to try to ease a situation that was becoming increasingly tense because of the border dispute, Mubarak’s visit and the approaching April 25 deadline for Israel’s final withdrawal from Sinai. The Egyptian emissary was accompanied by a leading Cairo intellectual, Anis Monsou, editor and publisher of October magazine. Mansour had a lengthy meeting with President Yitzhak Novon and conveyed to him an oral message from Mubarak.
The message, from President to President, was understood to be one of assurance that Egypt will continue the peace process and normalization of relations with Israel after it is in full possession of Sinai.
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