Israel today “noted with regret” Egypt’s decision to suspend the autonomy negotiations. The Cabinet, in a statement, termed the move “one-sided” but mode no further comment.
The ministers rejected on idea put forward by justice Minister Shmuel Tamir, one of the negotiating team, that the Cabinet announce it would “hold a debate” before deciding to resume the talks. Tamir argued that Egypt had insulted Israel by calling off the talks so abruptly, after arrangements had been mode to hold them in Cairo this week.
But the Cabinet majority followed the lead of chief autonomy negotiator, Interior Minister Yosef Burg, who contended that it would be impolite to exacerbate the situation by public statements. Burg noted that Israel did not yet know the true reasons underlying the suspension.
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