THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS • Zaire Could Be Catalyst for Re-Opening By YOEL COHEN World Zionist Press Service JERUSALEM — Eigh- teen years ago Joseph Mobutu was the command- ing officer of 300 commando soldiers from the Congo who came to Israel to receive parachute training with Is- rael's Defense Forces. To- day, President Mobutu of the former Belgian colony of Zaire is at the forefront of the movement among Black African states to re-open the diplomatic ties with Israel which they severed during the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur war. There have been reports over the last six months that several Black African states were keen to resume diplomatic ties with Jerusalem, and that only Is- rael's final withdrawal from Sinai stood in the way. Black African states had broken relations with Israel in 1973 ostensibly in re- sponse to Israel's occupation of the territory of Egypt, a fellow African state. During visits to Washington and Paris last December and January, respectively, President Mobutu ex- pressed his country's readi- ness to resume ties im- mediately. Last November Israeli Defense Minister Ariel Sharon made what was in- tended to be a secret visit to six African states in a bid to encourage them to reopen - ties. These were the Central African Republic, Gabon, the Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sudan and Zaire. The Direc- tor - General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, David Kimche, has himself made two African tours. Both President Reagan and President Mitterrand have been encouraging the Black African countries to reopen ties with Israel. The United States sees this as a means to strengthen the West's position against Soviet expansionism in the continent. Israel has in fact main- tained a commercial presence with a number of African countries, de- spite the diplomatic break. Trade with Black Africa has increased sev- eral times since 1973. Trade with Nigeria alone increased between 1979 and 1980 from $20 million to $40 million. Israel's interest in Africa dates back to the 1950's when Arab pressure suc- ceeded in excluding Israel from the Bandung Confer- ence of Asian and African States. Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion decided that Africa would be the - spawning ground for Is- rael's relations with the de- veloping world. Unable to give large quantities of fi- nancial aid to developing countries, Israel decided upon a policy of technical assistance and cooperation to newly independent states undergoing similar birth- pangs of statehood which Is- rael underwent. The Histadrut's Afro Asian Institute provided leadership training for thousands of Africans. From 1959 to 1962, some 3,000 African students were trained in a variety of pro- fessions and trades, and some 800 Israeli techni- cians and engineers were sent to Africa in advisory capacities. In addition, the Histadrut organized joint construction ventures in Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Kenya, as did Mekorot (Is- rael's water company) in Nigeria, the Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. Despite the break in diplomatic ties, - technical cooperation has continued. Israel's relations with Black Africa are, like those of other western countries, complicated by her relations with South Africa. Although these have increased since 1973, both dip- lomatically and commer- cially, Israel has re- peatedly condemned the system of apartheid. Is- raeli trade with South Af- rica has increased from $44 million in 1973 to over $100 million in 1980. Is- raeli officials emphasize, however, that trade be- tween South Africa and Black Africa is six times that between the former and Israel. Zaire's resumption of ties with Israel has brought a strong reaction from Arab countries, some of which have broken their own ties with Zaire. Early hopes that Zaire's resumption would give a lead to other African states have been soured. The fear of Arab pressure is very real. In some respects the reasons which influ- enced African states to cut ties originally have not changed: African states are still in desperate shortage of economic aid; Arab states still have the wealth to give to Africa; and Israel can in no way compete with the Arabs as an aid donor. The future shape of Is- rael's relations with Africa needs consideration. More emphasis is likely to be placed on trade, though there is no doubt about the importance of technical as- sistance programs. The benefits of technical assis- tance programs are difficult to measure and accompany- ing political actions favora- ble to the donor are not al- ways forthcoming. The long term goodwill which the programs have brought Israel in Africa is undeniable. One example of this is that 18 years after Israel trained Joseph Mobutu as a parachutist he has become the first African Friday, July 2, 1982 15 Renees Writings Calligraphy & Invitations head of state to defy Arab pressure and reopen dip- lomatic ties with Jerusalem. 20% OFF 355-4843 4t94,ealiger Farming Advice from Israel JERUSALEM (ZINS) — Israel provides agricultural advice for more than 80 countries throughout the world. In Thailand, an Israeli strain of groundnuts has been introduced resulting in a yield that has increased by 50-80 percent. Israeli ag- ricultural technology has been responsible for a dramatic increase in the tomato crop of the Domini- can Republic. Center Publishes Bialystok History NEW YORK (JTA) — The history of the Russian - Polish city Bialystok is the theme of a book published in observance of the 50th an- niversary of the Bialystoker Center in New York. "The Bialystoker Memo- rial Book" is comprised of a collection of essays by one- time residents, and provides a history of Bialystok from its inception, when it was still a part of Russia, through the Holocaust. Reform Leader- NEW YORK — Rabbi Benjamin A. Kamin of Bay Shore, N.Y. has been ap- pointed North American di- rector of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Maxwell House Coffee Is AfterTheater Enjoyment. Having a gOod cup of coffee after performance. For over fifty years, cof- theater is almost as much a part of fee lovers have applauded its full- the entertainment as the perform- pleasant aroma, and its great tasting, ance itself. And Maxwell HOuse® satisfying flavor. And, "May I have Coffee is always right on cue to help another cup, please': is one of the get the good conversation going. A most rewarding requests for an 'en- lively discussion after is a big part of core' any hostess can hear. the enjoyment. 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