Israel’s resumption of relations with African nations is not based strictly on military aid but encompasses economic ventures as well, David Kimche, Director General of the Foreign Ministry, told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee today. He said insufficient attention is paid the economic and commercial elements of these relationships.
Kimche said that as a rule Israel preferred to keep a low profile with respect to its assistance to Third World countries. He declined to answer questions about the alleged selectivity of Israeli assistance, saying he could not discuss such "political issues."
Israel and Zaire resumed diplomatic relations six months ago which had been broken off by Zaire during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir recently visited Zaire where he signed mutual cooperation agreements for agricultural and commercial ventures.
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