President Sirleaf Makes More Gains in Israel, Visits Palestine

Tel-Aviv, Israel - The Government of Liberia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Diamond Institute of Israel geared towards fostering cooperation to develop Liberia’s diamond sector. The agreement was signed today in Tel-Aviv, Israel, by Liberia’s Lands, Mines and Energy Minister, Dr. Eugene Shannon and Dr. Morti Gantz, President of Israel’s Diamond Institute. As a result of this, a conference is scheduled to be held in Tel-Aviv, Israel, from February 11th -12th, 2008, in which specific aspects of cooperation will be worked out.

Prior to signing the Memorandum, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf delivered the keynote address at a formal program held to mark the beginning of the cooperation. She expressed her government’s pleasure at being able to strengthen the relationship between Israel and Liberia. She further expressed the hope that the diamond sanctions on Liberia which were lifted on the 27th of April, 2007, will be far-reaching in addressing the problems of the country.

In another development, President Johnson Sirleaf has said that peace between Israel and Palestine will consolidate peace in the world. She has also called for more women to be involved in the peace talks between both parties. She made the call today in Ramallah, Palestine, when she met with Palestinian President, His Excellency Mahmoud Abbass. The Liberian leader drove to Palestine today, to deliver a message of peace on behalf of the International Women’s Commission for Sustainable Israeli-Palestinian Peace. She also called on President Abbass to get U.S President George Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to put some specifics in place to move the peace process forward. She finally expressed the hope that the peace talks between Israel and Palestine scheduled to be held on November 26, 2007, in Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.A, will be successful.

For his part, President Abbass thanked the Liberian leader for the visit and praised U.S. President George Bush’s efforts to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine. He further added that he believes that Israeli Prime Minister Olmert is sincere in his mission to achieve peace. He also expressed his government’s determination to reignite Palestine’s economic sector after years of unrest. President Abbass finally informed President Johnson Sirleaf that he and Israeli President Shimon Peres have agreed to build a university at the border between both countries.