"What else could the be debating at this point other than the Gold Sale Rule?"

Maybe a guess as good as any could be.....as far as I know the Chinese had to get internal approvals for the deal. I am guessing this was done by mid Oct or so. Could have been the timing that Chavez/Khan were both on their tour. Chavez/Khan arrived back just last week. It was rumored RF and the Chinese left for VZ mid week last week. If this was the case and they were going down there with the full meal deal then wouldn't it make sense that VZ may have been waiting for this and now that it is in their hands and they see the deal is completed for the partnership then language in the permit and the MOC now has to be changed to reflect the partnership?

Maybe the changes needed in the permit and MOC are what is taking place now as we wait?