The joint Israeli-Egyptian military committee convened late this evening and immediately went into a closed session that began at Al Tahara Palace in Heliopolis, just outside of Cairo. Israel released the five-point proposal that it is submitting to Egypt just before the two-hour meeting began. The proposals are:
Phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Sinai; designation in the Sinai of areas of limited forces and armaments, demilitarized zones and the presence of United Nations forces; maintenance of Israeli settlements in Sinai and the determination of their status; the status of Israeli airfields in Sinai; control over security measures.
In his opening address, Israeli Defense Minister Ezer Weizman reiterated those points and called on Jordan, Syria and Lebanon to join in the peace talks. He said that the senior military officers assembled in Cairo today were undertaking a great mission–the termination of wars and the construction of peace for the benefit of the entire region. Weizman said Israel was seeking an arrangement that will permit the continued existence of its settlements in the border area and the proper protection of them.
He said Israel also sought the limitation and reduction of forces, the separation of forces and the creation of demilitarized zones for the purpose of an effective early warning system. He said Israel wanted to establish effective controls to see that the agreements are observed. Another point sought by Israel is the establishment of free and secure navigation in the adjacent waterways. Weizman said that once secure borders are established, harmony between Israel and Egypt could turn the region into a flourishing garden spot.
The military committee met amid handshakes and smiles but with minimal ceremony. The initial sessions will continue until Friday when the Israeli delegation returns to Israel for consultations. It is assumed that the committee will concentrate on drafting an agenda during the remainder of the week.
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