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LV Institute, Ambassadors walking towards entrance.
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CU sign "Van Leer Institute of Jerusalem"
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MV Ambassadors arriving.
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SV PAN from (1 to r) Abba Eban, Mr Sheck and Secretary Meir
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MV INT Ambassadors listening to Eban
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CU Ambassadors listening (2 shots)
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SCU & MV Eban speaking and Envoys listening (3 shots)
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Initials APSM/1547 APSM/1605



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Israeli Ambassadors and Ambassadors-designate to African countries met together in Jerusalem for a four-day discussion aimed at mapping a political approach to the continent. The gathering was addressed by Israel's Foreign Minister Abba Eban.

The prime purpose of the meeting was for the Envoys to work out ways of combating Israel's loosening ties with a number of African capitals.

In the last year five African states have severed ties with Israel, these states are Uganda, Chad, The Congo People's Republic, Niger and Mali.

The Jerusalem meeting was held at the Van Leer Institute and was attended by Foreign Office officials, members of the International co-operation Division and 30 Ambassadorial representatives.

The conference is also expected to discuss ways of countering the impression abroad of Israeli intransigence towards a Middle East settlement, in time for the conference of non-aligned countries, due to be held in September in Algiers, and the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in the third week in September.

SYNOPSIS: Israeli Ambassadors and Ambassadors-designate to African on Tuesday at the start of a four-day get-together.

The meeting is one of a regular series organised by the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

Mr Abba Eban, Israel's Foreign Minister, seen here on the left, addressed the delegates.

The purpose of the get-together is to ma??? out ways of combating Israel's loosening ties with a number of African capitals. Libyan money and Moslem solidarity are seen by the Israelis as the two major causes of the growing African support for the Arab cause.

The Israelis also fear that their attitude to Middle East settlement negotiations is interpreted as intransigent.

Over the past year five African station have severed their ties with Israel. These states are Uganda, Chad, The Congo, Niger and Mali. But with diplomatic relations with 21 African states the Israelis still have a strong foothold on the continent.