The United Nations has confirmed Israel’s charge that Egypt violated the disengagement agreement by introducing additional artillery into the limited forces zone east of the Suez Canal. But a crisis over the matter appears to have been averted. Reports from Cairo today said the Egyptians were prepared to remove the offending guns. Defense Minister Moshe Dayan, said on his departure for Washington today that the episode should be kept in perspective and not overblown. Premier Golda Meir indicated in a speech yesterday that she expected the matter to be solved “within days.”
UN confirmation of the violation which was spotted by Israeli reconnaissance planes a week ago, was apparently presented to Dayan by UNEF commander Gen. Ensio Siilasvuo when the two met in Tel Aviv yesterday. UNEF reportedly found 90 Egyptian guns in the zone where, according to the disengagement accord, it was allowed no more than 36.
Although Israeli officials now expect the violation to be ended promptly, the question remained today why Cairo acted clearly contrary to the letter and spirit of the disengagement pact and in an easily detected manner. Some sources said the Egyptian move was part of a “war of nerves” that is an inevitable part of the negotiating process. But observers here agreed that it did considerable damage to mutual trust between the parties, an essential element in any future agreements.
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