Why thy diplo return to Israel

[My Australasia]

from aap

Israel in dark over expulsion: Katsav

Israeli President Moshe Katsav says he's still in the dark over the expulsion of one of its diplomats from Australia but insists it has not damaged relations between the two countries.

President Katsav is on a week-long state visit just more than two months after Australia's unexplained expulsion of Israeli diplomat Amir Laty.

Neither Israel nor Australia will comment on the reason for Laty's return to Israel, which the diplomat believed was linked to his friendship with Attorney-General Philip Ruddock's daughter Caitlin.

It is a claim that has been vigorously denied by Mr Ruddock.

Mr Katsav brushed aside suggestions his visit was timed to smooth out embarrassment over the incident, but admitted the reasons for Mr Laty's expulsion were still not known to Israel.

"I cannot say anything about the reason," Mr Katsav told reporters in Sydney.

"I cannot deny that an Israeli diplomat is not here, but I cannot say anything about why or how.

"Not because it's a secret, not because I want to deny it, not because I want to ignore it. I don't know."

The president said Israel-Australia relations had not been adversely affected by the affair, which some commentators suggested was linked to ASIO learning that two alleged Mossad agents arrested in New Zealand last year had been residing in Australia.

The alleged Mossad agents, Uriel Zoshe Kelman and Eli Cara, were jailed for two months in New Zealand then deported in September for trying to fraudulently obtain New Zealand passports.

"We (have) very friendly relations, I respect the Australian authorities," said Mr Katsav.

"For me as a president, for us as a state, this accident (involving Laty) is behind us.

"For us the Laty issue is not an issue that should express any tension between us.

"I respect Australian authority ... I am here on a state visit and it's a good indication of warm relations between the two countries."

Mr Katsav said he hoped for an improvement in relations between New Zealand and Israel.

"I say before that I'm really sorry about what happened between New Zealand and Israel," he said.

"I do regret (it) and we have many years (of) very good relations with New Zealand and I do not see any reason why this good relationship will not be continued."

Earlier in the day, Mr Katsav received an enthusiastic welcome from 2,000 Jewish school children and university students when he addressed them at Central Synagogue in Sydney's east.

He was due to speak at another community event in Sydney at which anti-war and Palestinian groups have vowed to protest.

Extreme security measures have been ordered for Mr Katsav's visit, including a police helicopter shadowing his motorcade wherever he goes around Sydney.

Mr Katsav travels to Canberra on Wednesday to meet separately with Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, before heading to Melbourne on Thursday.