http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/635262.html Last update - 09:16 16/10/2005
Report: Afghanistan set to announce it recognizes Israel By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent Afghanistan is set to announce in the next few days that it recognizes the State of Israel, according to a report by a local Afghani TV channel that was aired Friday. Citing official diplomatic sources, the report also said the authorities were hoping more Muslim countries, primarily Pakistan, would follow suit. Official Afghani sources refused to comment on the report, but Israeli political sources said that Israel views this as "another important step on the road to recognition of Israel by the Muslim world." The Afghani report coincides with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's efforts to knock down the "iron wall" between Israel and Arab and Muslim countries. "Muslim countries understand this is the right time to initiate contact with Israel, because anyone who wants to be involved in the peace process must have contact also with Israel and not only with the Palestinians," the Israeli sources said. Officials in Jerusalem say that initiating warmer ties with Israel could earn Muslim governments brownie points in Washington. However, Muslim countries' expressions of interest in Israel, as expressed in a growing number of meetings with Shalom, are exposing Muslim leaders to heavy criticism at home. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/uTGrlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
