••••-ea, MARC CHICOREL, OPM Israel Seeks To Boost Ties With Asian Nations New York — Asia is a region of increasing economic and geopolitical importance, and Israel's efforts to cultivate good relations with several Asian nations have often been ham, pered by Arab or Communist pressures on those nations to distance themselves politically and economically from Israel, according to a study published by the American Jewish Com, mittee. Harry Milkman, research analyst in the Israel and Mid- dle East Affairs division of AJC's international relations department, and Jordana Schein-Levi, program assis- tant to the deputy director of the same department, authors of Israel and Asia: A Survey of Bilateral Relations, offer the following accounts of Israel's varying diplomatic and trade relations with several Asian nations: Japan is Israel's largest Asian trading partner; how- ever, Japanese-Israeli rela- tions reflect Japan's heavy re- liance on Arab oil. In 1976, the PLO was allowed to establish an office in Tokyo. Today, while Japan is attempting to improve diplomatic relations, it is still hesitant to increase economic ties with Israel in the face of the Arab boycott. Hong Kong is Israel's sec- ond largest Asian trading partner. Full diplomatic rela- tions have been maintained since 1958. Singapore is Israel's third largest Asian trading partner. Full diplomatic relations have been maintained since 1969. Singapore has supported Israel • on a number of important UN resolutions. At the same time, Singapore's government is careful not to antagonize Malaysia, one of the most populous Muslim nations, with a hostile attitude toward Israel and Jews, and upon whom it relies heavily for its water supply. Thailand is Israel's fourth largest Asian trading partner. Thailand recognized Israel in 1950, established consular re- lations in 1954 and embassy status in 1958. Since then the two countries have worked to- gether in the areas of trade, ag- riculture, aviation, defense and nuclear energy. Thailand has been somewhat supportive of Israel in the UN. India is Israel's fifth largest Asian trading partner, diamonds constituting the • bulk of the trade. Not wanting to alienate itself from the Arab nations or its own 84 million Muslim citizens India has not established full ' diplomatic re- lations with Israel. India has been consistently hostile toward Israel in the UN, and maintains close relations with the PLO. However, there are cooperative efforts between Is- rael and India in the area of technical assistance. South Korea is Israel's sixth largest Asian trading. partner. Diplomatic relations were established in 1962 de- spite Arab opposition. How- ever, the Israeli embassy in Seoul was closed in 1978 and has not been allowed to reopen. Once again, dependence on Arab oil as well as profitable construction projects in the Arab Gulf have strained South Korea's relations with Israel. Israel has provided South Korea with technical develop- ment assistance. People's Republic of China was recognized by Is- rael — one of the first Western democracies to do so — in 1950. Despite its relations with sev- eral Islamic countries and its active support of the PLO since 1965, China's attitude toward Israel continues to show signs of improvement. The two coun- tries have recently been engaged in talks regarding cooperative projects in the fields of agriculture and high technology. A recent contract calls for Israeli equipment to be used to establish a model ir- rigated farm in China. Al- though China does not allow the direct import of Israeli goods, millions of dollars worth of Israeli arms have reportedly been purchased by the Chinese. Taiwan does not have for- mal diplomatic relations with Israel, but is engaged in some trade and cooperative de- velopments projects. The Philippines formally recognized Israel in 1949, and *during the next twenty years diplomatic and trade relations • improved and expanded. Under the Marcos regime, Is- raeli .development projects in the Philippines were drasti- cally reduced, but are now being renewed by President Aquino. Burma was the first Asian country to recognize Israel, in 1949, and the two nations de- veloped full diplomatic rela- tions over the next ten years. Israel has assisted in develop- ing Burma's agriculture, in- dustry and military. In recent years, Burma has been the most supportive Asian country of Israel in the UN. Nepal established full, dip- lomatic relations with Israel in 1960 and had established sev- eral cooperative technical and economic projebts. Since the Yom Kippur War. in 1973, Arab pressure has resulted in strained relations, although some of the projects are still in existence. Nepal's trade with Israel continues on a' small scale, and Nepal has voted in Israel's favor on a number Of relevant UN resolutions. Sri Lanka voted in favor of the 1975 UN resolution equat- ing Zionism with racism. How- ever, months of negotiations in 1984 resulted in the estab- lishment of an Israeli interests section in the U.S. embassy in Colombo. Currently, Israel is expected to participate in a major Sri Lankan agricultural development project. Opportunities for Israel to expand and improve its ties to Asia are unfolding. • •••-•••-•• Medicine and Surgery of the Foot 3846 Rochester Rd. • In Century. Plaza/Troy 1/2 Mile N. of Big Beaver • 3 Minutes E. of Somerset Mall COMPLIMENTARY EXAM 528-3232 * * *ANNOUNCING* * * FIRST SEMESTER IS EXPANDING College major and career decision-making counseling for young people. 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