Foreign Minister Abba Eban said today that Israel will continue to maintain its diplomatic presence in every possible country in Africa despite recent diplomatic setbacks on that continent. Addressing a conference of Israeli envoys to African states, Eban said he believed that those African nations which broke off diplomatic relations with Israel are now reconsidering the benefit and wisdom of their steps.
The Foreign Minister said that there were three possible paths for Israeli diplomacy to follow in Africa: to pull out altogether; to cultivate connections with the wealthy and important African states only; or to spread Israel’s presence in every possible country in Africa and to strive to keep that presence, Israel chooses the third alternative, Eban said.
He added that human motives, not only political considerations, were part of Israel’s choice. He said Israel would do its best to accede to many requests of African countries which have recently asked for agricultural, educational and industrial assistance from Israel.
United Nations Secretary General Kurt Waldheim and Israel’s UN Ambassador Yosef Tekoah met today to discuss Waldheim’s upcoming five-nation tour of the Middle East. They also discussed the situation of Jews in the Soviet Union and the Arab countries. It was learned that while in Jerusalem from Aug. 30-31, Waldheim will confer with Premier Golda Meir, Foreign Minister Abba Eban and President Ephraim Katzir. Tekoah left today for Israel to prepare for Waldheim’s arrival.
Dr. Gil Sinay, president of the Representative Committee of Chilean Jewry, declared that in memory of the 24 Jewish writers, poets and artists murdered in the Soviet Union in August 1952 Jews today must demand that the Soviet Union end laws preventing Jews from emigrating. He spoke at a public meeting of the Chilean Jewish Community in Santiago commemorating the anniversary of the murder of the 24 Jews. A report of the meeting was sent to the Soviet Embassy in Santiago.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
