Liberian Envoy Hails His Country’s Re-establishment of Ties with Israel

Ambassador Joseph Guannu of Liberia hailed his country’s recent re-establishment of diplomatic ties with Israel as a move that will bring “cultural, economic and political benefits” to both countries.

“Africa is underdeveloped. Israel is a developing country and it is our belief that we, too, can benefit from its technology,” the Liberian envoy declared in a speech before the national executive committee of the Zionist Organization of America Sunday night. He shared the platform with Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D. Md.) and Alleck Resnick, ZOA president.

Guannu recalled Liberia’s quest for agricultural expertise and medical training which were part of Israel’s assistance programs there before relations were severed in the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War.

He also recalled Liberia’s role in helping create the State of Israel in 1948 as a member of the UN. “It was through our involvement that the State of Israel came into existence. We believe that historically, that land is Israel and we need no further proof,” he said.

WEST BANK SETTLEMENTS ARE A NECESSITY

Mikulski insisted that Israeli settlements on the West Bank were an absolute necessity and urged the U.S. to end calls for a settlement freeze. She said a recent visit to the West Bank enabled her to see “the clear need for the settlements as an early warning system … We should be aware that there has never been a time when Israel has not been threatened by hostile neighbors. It is time that we freeze attacks on Israel instead.”

Resnick praised the Reagan Administration for standing firm in its resolve to counter Syrian intransigence and aggression in Lebanon. “President Reagan’s firm warnings to Syria recognizes the violent role Syria has played in Lebanon for decades. The Syrian goal of eradicating an independent Lebanon is but a sample of a Greater Syria bent on the expansion of its borders and the destruction of the Jewish State,” he maintained.