Yossi Melman / Why did Lieberman really go to Africa?
FM's delegation includes representatives from Israeli firms and the intelligence community.
By Yossi Melman Tags: Israel news Avigdor LiebermanThe journey of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to five African states in nine days is taking place under a hidden cloud of domestic tension. The obvious aspect of the visit, which is stressed by the minister and his entourage, is Israel's willingness to assist countries in the continent to find solutions to their problems: hunger, insufficient clean water, epidemics. The less-publicized aspect is that quite a few Israelis are hoping that the visit will open the way for more defense exports.
On a level that is even more secretive, there is the hope of developing intelligence ties and cooperation in the effort against international jihadist elements, and especially countering the activities of Iran in some of these African countries. This only becomes obvious when the composition of the delegation is analyzed carefully: in addition to the Foreign Ministry officials accompanying Lieberman, there is a delegation from the Defense Ministry's foreign assistance department, Sibat, and also a group of representatives of the intelligence community, including a Mossad official from the Tevel wing, which is responsible for the organization's foreign ties. Similarly, along with representatives from civilian industrial and development firms, there are agents from the country's defense firms.
The Foreign Ministry and the Israel Export Institute believe that there is at least another $1 billion worth of business potential in Africa, in addition to the $3 billion that Israeli firms already export in goods and services to the continent. Lieberman began his trip in Ethiopia, where he met with the country's prime minister and its foreign minister, putting the emphasis on the civilian assistance that Israel provides. The assistance comes in the form of biotechnology and agriculture, advanced water-purification technologies, and medical assistance in combating AIDS. The Foreign Ministry funding these projects out of its own budget, at the cost of several hundred thousand dollars a year.
But Ethiopia is also a key strategic state for Israel, with a long tradition of friendship and cooperation between the countries in military and intelligence matters. Ethiopia's importance lies in its being situated on the Horn of Africa,near a number of Arab states, and overlooking the sea routes to Eilat and the Suez Canal. Moreover, in recent years Iran has been increasingly active in the area, as have been Al-Qaida agents, particularly in nearby Somalia. Naturally these are issues that were discussed during Lieberman's meetings, even though they were not mentioned in the media briefings.
The foreign minister's visit to Kenya was similar in character. There Lieberman met with the vice president and the foreign minister. He announced Israel's intention to offer know-how in combating desertification, and he also agreed to the request of his hosts for Israel's assistance in the reopening of an agricultural training center ituated two hours from the capital, Nairobi. Israel had cooperated in the past, together with the U.S., in running the center, activity that stopped in 2002.
The Kenyan vice president, Kalonzo Musyoka, praised Israel'scontribution to agriculture and irrigation in his country, but as in Ethiopia, in Nairobi too they discussed other issues that were made less public. Kenya has cooperated with Israel in the past on counter-terrorism.
On Wednesday Lieberman travels to Nigeria, one of the largest, wealthiest and most important countries in Africa. There is a relatively large community of Israeli businessmen there, working mostly in the fields of agriculture and infrastructure, but it is also an important destination for Israeli defense exports. In recent years, Israel and Nigeria signed arms deals worth about $500 million.
"There is no doubt that the most important need of Africa is countering hunger and the shortage of water, and not arms," said Haim Dibon, deputy director general of Israel's Foreign Ministry.
Lieberman's wish to restore the continent to a place on Israel's foreign policy horizon is also paved with benign intentions. But the experience of the past suggests that the voice of the Foreign Ministry loses ground for the most part when it comes up against the Defense Ministry and the arms industry lobby, which hijacked Israel's foreign policy in recent years in their favor. Therefore, Dibon is trying to make the point back home that military sales will also benefit if they are carried out through "the feeding of the hungry and the quenching of the parched throats of Africa."
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Because he is wanted where diplomats are needed.
africa is too poor to waste their money on arms.we should not encourage it.it is not blessed and rather immoral.
... the PM does it himself, even if its obviously on Lieberman's native turf: "Netanyahu visited Moscow Monday to discuss Russian arms sales to Iran, Syria (Haaretz)"
Quote: "Maybe he can teach Russian to Palestiian inmates in the Ramle jail house when his legal problems are resolved.." ... what have you got against the long-suffereing Pals in Ramle jail...?
There's a lot going on between Israel, America and the EU at the moment. The last thing Bibi needs is Avigdor going round making threats and upsetting people. I sort of assumed they'd sent Lieberman off to Africa, so that any gaffes he made wouldn't be in front of major allies or major media. A bit like when they sent him to South America. Bibi will be thinking up some other distant foreign assignment for him now. How about Polynesia? It's a nice long way away. They can make up some story about Al Qaeda setting up cells there or something.
Israel needs multi level connections with many countries in different areas: commerce, political, aid, military. It is clear that Lieberman can never be an effectcive political representative of Israel on the world stage because of his extreme views and gauche style. So why shouldn't he go to other areas and promote ties on different levels? In the end, If Israel builds and maintains ties with many countries it can help it's isolation which has been brought about in large measure by it's right wing policies towards the Palestinians. Unfortunately, Lieberman is one of the most extreme spokesmen of that regressive tendency. Maybe he can teach Russian to Palestiian inmates in the Ramle jail house when his legal problems are resolved..
The main thing is that Lieberman is out of the country and that good in itself.
He really went in search of an Obama birth certificate since all the one's put out to-date by the birthers have proved to be forgeries. Problem is, the US President was born in Hawaii. But why ruin a good conspiracy?
too few rain and many are dieing from famine already. Even Kenia looks poised for a civil war, as its ethnic groups are already accusing each other of plundering and murdering their relatives and even children. Of course thats quite an opportunity for weappons deals on a grand scale, isn't it?
Why? Indeed! For the very reason that USA media does not report such Israeli activities and to the people here in the USA. In this country one must go to foreign (Haaretz, Jer-Post, Aljazeera, Der Spiegel et al) news media for something of the truth on Israel.
Not many people dare adventure there except the middle east, and China. By Investing in what it can, Israel helps create itself some potential allies in future. Something it strongly needs in these times of condemnation and crisize of the nation.
Historically, this type of cooperation and agricultural aid as a fundamental principal has bestowed upon Israel exalted status in many countries of the world and especially in Africa. It is a powerful instrument in exporting credibility and one in which Israel is likely best advised to go for, full bore, in these 'boycott' times.
Wanting to build better ties, peaceful cultural exchanges, aid in farming technology, aid in medicine and health, more trade, and a stronger intelligence exchange with African States? You are right haaretz as usual. WHAT A DESPICABLE ACT ON THE PART OF LIEBERMAN!! Melman is to be commended for this expose. WHAT WILL THE DEWVIOUS JEW DO NEXT? Help them fight AIDs, TB, Malaria, and hunger? The Jews should all be punished, right haaretz!
After the election Netanyahu was faced with a dilemma: make a deal with Lieberman that would require little to no idealogical compromising and be forced to deal with a corrupt demagouge hated by Americans and Euoropeans, or make a deal with Livni who had won the most seats, has no corruption cloud over her head and is respected abroad, but who would have demanded idealogical compromises and a rotating prime ministry. Netanyahu picked Lieberman but has given most of Lieberman's job to Barak and Danny Ayalon while Lieberman is sent off to third world countries for photo ops while he waits to get indicted.
It's OCD time, so let's hear it. What's your pleasure today, "Former night club bouncer from Moldovia" or "Greatest FM Israel has ever had"? Or, now that you've worn out each of those stupid remarks, perhaps you can conjure up a new piece of literary genius. Whatever you (and your psychosis) decide, we all eager await your Israel-bashing comment. You provide such a humanitarian service. No doubt, a Nobel Peace Prize is in you future for all the great work you do.