(3 of 3)
The two sides are still diplomatic leagues apart. Israel's position is that it might accept some official Egyptian presence short of military forces on the east bank of the canal—perhaps a small police contingent. It would insist on at least a skeleton staff to maintain the Bar-Lev Line of canal fortifications, an idea that Cairo would be unlikely to accept. Israel looks with little favor, however, on Rogers' proposal for an international peace-keeping force in the area.
Presumably there is room for bargaining over the distance the Israelis would be willing to pull back. Government officials in Jerusalem have hinted at eight to ten miles from the canal. Egypt has demanded that Israeli forces go farther—a full 115 miles, but that may well be merely an opening bid. Probably the stickiest issue is Sadat's insistence that any interim agreement on the canal be linked to a commitment by Israel to withdraw eventually from all occupied territories. Jerusalem is equally determined that any partial withdrawal be entirely separate from negotiations for an overall peace agreement.
Powers of Persuasion. In the wake of Rogers' trip, the U.S. has more or less committed itself to helping resolve the differences between the two parties. Egypt and Israel both recognize that the U.S. is the only power capable of shouldering the role of go-between. Only Washington, as Israel's staunchest friend and sole arms supplier, has powers of persuasion with Jerusalem. If Sadat, with his hard-lining opponents out of the way, can offer a reasonable compromise on Suez, the pressure will be on Washington to exercise that influence.
* They had more personal reasons as well. One of the Cabinet members who resigned is married to Gomaa's daughter, another to Gomaa's sister-in-law. The departed War Minister, Mohammed Fawzi, is a cousin of Sami Sharaf. And ex-Information Minister Mohammed Fayek is married to the niece of Ali Sabry.