Canadian Secretary for External Affairs Stresses Links with Israel

The Dominion of Canada has been “proud” to play a significant role in aiding Israel at the United Nations, and still continues maintaining its interest in Israel, having “broadened and multiplied” its Israel links, Paul Martin, Canada’s State Secretary for External Affairs, told a Negev dinner held here in honor of Morris B. Kaufman.

Mr. Martin’s taped address detailed the Canadian links with Israel during the last decade, and discussed Canada’s “considerable commitment” to the United Nations peacekeeping operations in the Arab-Israel region. He noted that, among the troops of the United Nations Emergency Force, 1,000, or about one-fifth, are Canadians. UNEF stands on guard against anti-Israeli incursions in the Gaza Strip and at Sharm el-Sheikh, over-looking the Gulf of Akaba. He pointed out that, of about 100 officers serving the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, 17 are Canadians.

“We are happy to continue our participation in these peace-keeping assignments,” he said, “in the knowledge that the emergency force and the truce supervisory organization carry on an essential part in maintaining stability and preventing conflict in the Middle East.” He added that he was certain that both Israel and the Arab states in the area “fully appreciate” Canada’s role.

“During the last decade,” he said, “Canadian links with Israel have broadened and multiplied, and many Canadians have had an opportunity of witnessing at first hand the great and inspiring Israel experiment in building a proud and self-conscious national community which is now playing a notable role in world affairs.”