French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas has cancelled for the time being a forthcoming trip to Israel. French diplomatic sources say that the trip was indefinitely postponed to mark France’s “displeasure” over the Israeli air raid against a PLO base near Tunis on October 1st. France is one of Tunisia’s closest allies and firmly supports the regime of President Habib Bourguiba.
Dumas was originally scheduled to leave for Israel this Sunday for his first trip to Israel since his appointment as Foreign Minister last year. The Israelis were informed of his decision to cancel his visit shortly after the raid. French officials say the visit might take place by the end of the year, but no date has been set.
The Foreign Minister, who will be in Paris to welcome Israeli Premier Shimon Peres and who is to attend the luncheon given in his honor by President Francois Mitterrand tomorrow at the Elysee Palace, will leave for Baghdad on Sunday.
French sources say he will discuss with the Iraqi government the sale of additional French arms. France has in recent months backed ever more openly the Iraqis in their war with Iran.
Peres is due to arrive in Paris tomorrow morning for a two-day visit during which he will confer with Mitterrand at the Elysee Palace and on Saturday meet with representatives of the Jewish community.
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