The Cabinet decided today that Israel would affix its initials to the military protocol being negotiated at Geneva, but would sign in full only after the U.S. Congress has approved the stationing of American surveillance personnel in the Sinai passes. Informed sources here said later that the initialling would probably take place tomorrow at Geneva. The Israeli team, led by Mordechai Gazit, will remain in Geneva until the full signing, which, it is hoped here, will still take place this week. Congressional hearings have been set for later this week.
Israeli sources here assumed that Egypt, too, would only initial the pact tomorrow and would finally sign it together with Israel after the Congressional approval. The Cabinet decision put to rest some press reports from Geneva of major last-minute problems which threatened to deadlock the talks and hold up completion of the protocol. There have been reports that the size of the Egyptian police force in the Abu Rodeis coastal strip has been and still is the subject of tough negotiating. Sources here refuse–as they have done throughout the two weeks of talks at Geneva–to divulge details. But they stress that the Cabinet decision should be seen as an indication that the ministers believe all problems are solvable and the protocol can be completed on time. After the Cabinet session, the working groups reassembled in Geneva for their second meeting of the day.
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