Several African Countries Preparing to Resume Diplomatic Ties with Israel

A number of African countries are preparing to resume diplomatic relations with Israel should the Cairo talks show some progress on the way to peace. African diplomats in Paris told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that several countries, including the ivory Coast, Senegal and Kenya, have indicated their willingness to start negotiations with Israel “as soon as some progress is made” in Cairo. The diplomats say these negotiations should be relatively simple as there are no major obstacles on the way to a resumption of normal relations.

Practically all the African countries broke off diplomatic relations with israel at the time of the Yom Kippur War. In spite of this, Israel has maintained economic relations with most of them and Israeli leaders have conferred with several African Presidents. Foremost among these have been Senegal’s Leopold Senghor and the lvory Coast’s Houphouet Boigny. Kenya’s President Jomo Kenyata has steered a steadfast pro-Israeli course and helped Israel carry out the rescue at Entebbe Airport in Uganda on July 4, 1976.

African diplomats say that after Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s trip to Jerusalem last month, several countries in West Africa told Egypt they intend to resume relations with Israel. Egypt, these sources say, has asked them to postpone any concrete steps in this direction until after peace is concluded. After an exchange of informal notes, the Africans said they will hold off till “some concrete progress” is made on the way to peace.

The sources say the African countries will negotiate with Israel on an individual basis and not as a bloc. The negotiations will probably take place within the framework of the United Nations in New York.