Monrovia — Rtd. Lt/Gen. Henry Dubar says the People's Redemption Council, surreptitiously re-established diplomatic ties with Israel in 1983, at a time most African countries had broken Diplomatic relations with Israeli due to that country's attack on Egypt.

Gen. Dubar said he and former Defense Minister Gray D. Allison and John Rancy upon the order of the then Master Sergeant Samuel Doe traveled to Israel to restore diplomatic relations.

Appearing before the TRC Tuesday, Gen. Dubar said they held discussions with the Israeli government without the consultation of other officials of government including Foreign Minister Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh who would have otherwise objected to government's intention.

He said after the re-establishment of diplomatic ties, the Israeli government agreed to train the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (SATU) of the AFL which, at the time, assumed the role of special presidential guard to President Samuel Doe.

He also indicated that considering financial constraint faced by the Doe regime the only option was to grant the Israeli a forest concession in Sinoe County for its military assistance including the construction of a Defense Ministry complex in Congo Town which was not completed due to the war.