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Bonn, Arab States in Contact on Renewal of Formal Ties

March 14, 1972
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Contacts have been made between representatives of the West German government and those of Egypt, Syria and other Arab states concerning restoration of diplomatic relations, Amman television reported last night.

The start of meetings followed a decision by the Arab League Council to permit individual Arab countries to resume relations with West Germany. Most of the Arab countries broke off relations with West Germany in 1956 after the Bonn government established diplomatic ties with Israel.

But in most of the Arab countries, West German trade missions and consulates remained in operation. The Arab League decision was seen here as an expression of concern that relations between the Arab states and West Germany will become worse after the scheduled exchange of visits between Prime Minister Golda Meir and Chancellor Willy Brandt.

The remains of Sir Moses Montefiore, the British Jewish philanthropist and scholar who aided Jewish settlement in Palestine during the last quarter of the 19th century, will be brought to Israel shortly for reburial. The decision was made by the trustees of the Montefiore Endowment Fund.

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