The Cairo conference will open officially tomorrow morning at 11a.m. local time (4 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) with a formal statement by Egypt’s chief negotiator Ambassador Ahmed Esmat Meguid. He will speak for about 15 minutes and will be followed by other heads of delegations, it was announced here tonight by Egyptian information spokesman Dr. Mursi Saadeddin. He told reporters that the ceremonial opening would be followed by a private session to decide on the conference agenda.
The Egyptian spokesman said the press would be admitted in groups to the first portion and could also watch the live television coverage. He gave the details of tomorrow’s events at a hastily called press conference late tonight as the Israeli and Egyptian delegates met for a second time to iron out what were described as procedural matters.
Saadeddin described the initial meeting this evening as friendly and marked by good will. He said the issue of Palestinian representation has not been raised so far. He said there would be seating at the conference table for nine parties invited to the talks, including the Palestinians. The Palestine Liberation Organization has not accepted Egypt’s invitation nor have any of the Arab states or the Soviet Union. It was learned that the labeling of the Palestinian seat has yet to be agreed on.
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