The latest Egyptian counter-proposals for a second Sinai interim accord were reported to be under study today by Premier Yitzhak Rabin, Defense Minister Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister Yigal Allon, who comprise Israel’s negotiating team. No details of the latest Egyptian suggestions were made public but an informed government official said four major points remain unresolved.
One is the issue of control of Israel’s early-warning radar systems near the Gidi and Mitle Passes in Sinai. Israel is ready to yield the passes but wants to maintain some control over the systems’ operations, A second is the demarcation of an Israeli road to Sharm el-Sheikh where it passes the Abu Rodeis outfields, which Israel is also prepared to return to Egypt. Israel wants a western desert link to Sharm el-Sheikh which controls the entrance to the Akaba Gulf.
A third is the elements of an Egyptian commitment to non-belligerency, including a diminution of diplomatic and economic warfare against Israel, Specifically, Israel wants European and Japanese, as well as American, firms removed from the Arab boycott list. The fourth unresolved issue is precisely how much United States aid will be given to compensate Israel for the loss of 60 percent of Israel’s oil needs provided by the Abu Rodeis fields.
The official also expressed the opinion that Rabin’s demand, made in a speech to an American women’s group, Mizrachi Women, for face-to-face talks with Egypt would not be an obstacle to a second interim accord. The Premier did not say what kind of negotiations he wanted but the official said he thought Israel might accept face-to-face talks at a military or technical level.
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