Arab Republic Woos Ivory Coast

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31862, 14 December 1968, Page 26

Arab Republic Woos Ivory Coast

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) ABIDJAN (Ivory Coast). The United Arab Republic is anxious to develop its relations with the Ivory Coast to counteract growing Israeli influence, according to diplomatic observers.

The close ties of friendship Israel has been building since 1961 with the Ivory Coast and her partners in the Council of Understanding—Niger, Dahomey and Upper Volta—are viewed with concern in the Arab world, the observers say. Now, the United Arab Republic has begun moves to extend her own influence, but observers say the Arabs are starting far behind Israel, which is already well entrenched. Some 250 Israelis are living in Abidjan, 50 of them employed in the small but

dynamic technical assistance programme run by Israel. The U.A.R. is particularly concerned at the “ground floor” influence Israel is able to exert through its aid to the youth and civic service movements which help train many of the country’s future leaders and managers. Israel is also in close touch with the rural masses through its work on agricultural development programmes and other government projects. In addition, there are about 10 Israeli-run businesses, active in all kinds of commerce, although trade exchanges between the two countries are not large. The U.A.R. has much less extensive contacts with the i Council of Understanding I Countries. Conscious of this, a recent: U.A.R. mission, led by Dr I Mohammed Hassan El-Zayat, President Nasser’s personal envoy, is believed to have urged the Ivory Coast to take at least a neutral view of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The U.A.R. is also seeking to develop its commercial relations with the Ivory Coast, and its state trading corporation, El Nasr, is building a 21-storey block at a cost of £2 million. A team of U.A.R. engineering experts is studying a number of projects concerned with agriculture and road building. Official sources say negotiations are also continuing for an agreement to finance increased trade between the two countries.