The Israel-Egyptian talks on reducing tension along the Gaza border virtually hit a roadblock today with the Egyptians rejecting Israel-United Nations proposals on several key questions. However, the thorny questions were referred back to the respective governments for decision and the negotiators agreed to meet again Aug. 19 at Kilometer 95, the scene of the talks for the past two months.
A United Nations communique issued after the end of today’s session stated that “the discussion had reached a point where it became evident that the position of the delegations on the few outstanding points has not permitted them to reach agreement and further references to their governments will be required. It was further felt desirable to proceed with the consideration of other proposals on the agenda which, if adopted, might involve adding some clauses to the arrangement,” the communique added.
A spokesman for the Israel Foreign Ministry reported that the two main stumbling blocks at today’s session were–as previously–whether the local commanders would communicate with each other directly or through UN personnel, and whether they would meet alone or in the presence of UN personnel. The Israel spokesman noted that Israel and Maj. Gen. E. L. M. Burns. UN truce chief who presided at the session, favored direct communications and negotiations but the Egyptians insisted upon indirect communications. It was Gen. Burns’ suggestion to refer these points to the respective governments.
The Israel spokesman stressed that Israel believes direct telephone lines make for the most effective means of preventing incidents or bringing about their rapid termination once they occur. Gen. Burns concurred, the spokesman said, adding that the Egyptians also rejected the Israel-Burns formula that attendance of UN personnel at local commanders’ meetings would depend upon the consent of both parties.
Finally, the spokesman revealed that the negotiators had also discussed the erection of physical barriers along the border as a means of discouraging infiltration and the use of joint Israel-Egyptian-UN patrols in the border zone. He did not reveal what was the result of it is discussion.
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