Defense Minister Ariel Sharon visited several African countries before he flew to Washington this week to sign the strategic cooperation agreement with the U.S., it was disclosed today. Informed sources here linked the two visits.
They said Israel’s cooperation with several African countries would increase, due partly at least to the “new and enhanced standing” conferred on Israel by entering a formal strategic relationship with the U.S.
The sources said it was “no coincidence” that President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire spoke of the possibility of resuming diplomatic ties with Israel when he was in Washington this week. Mobutu said, however, that he would not act until he saw how other African countries treated the issue. Zaire broke relations with Israel after the Yom Kippur War.
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