Visiting Costa Rican Foreign Minister Gonzalo Facio planted trees yesterday in the Jewish National Fund “Peace Forest” outside Jerusalem. Before leaving for Israel. Facio had been inscribed in the JNF’s “Golden Book” by Israeli Ambassador Hanan Olami and local Jewish leaders.
In an arrival statement Monday night, the Costa Rican leader said relations between his country and Israel were “closer than ever.” While other erstwhile friends of Israel had surrendered to the numerical superiority of her foes at the United Nations, he said, his own country’s friendship remained fast and firm.
During a 10-day visit, Facio is to tour Christian holy sites on both sides of the Green Line. Yesterday he called on Premier Yitzhak Rabin and President Ephraim Katzir, and today he held a working session with his host, Foreign Minister Yigal Allon and aides at the Foreign Ministry here.
At a state dinner last night, Facio expressed his support for Jerusalem remaining united and the capital of Israel. He was sure that no Israeli government which abandoned Jerusalem could remain in office.
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