Israel and South Vietnam established diplomatic relations last week but the agreement calling for an immediate exchange of ambassadors was signed behind closed doors and without the planned public ceremony in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. According to a Maariv report from Saigon, the ceremony was cancelled at the insistence of the Cambodian government, apparently acceding to Arab pressure.
Cambodia is believed to have served as the intermediary through which the contacts were made between Israel and South Vietnam that led to the establishment of diplomatic relations. South Vietnam is expected soon to name its ambassador to Israel. Israel is expected to name Imanuel Galbar as its first ambassador to Saigon, sources here said today.
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