State Department Denies Knowledge of Americans Aiding Reported Israeli Arms Traffic

The State Department today denied any knowledge of American citizens being engaged in a reported air shuttle of arms for Israel from Czechoslovakia. The statement was made following a report that American-made Skymaster planes chartered under the Panamanian flag were being used in the arms traffic.

A Department spokesman said the Department had no information that any Americans cans were involved, but said that they had “from time to time received reports that American Citizens have been engaged in assisting deliveries of arms and planes to Israeli forces. The Department has repeatedly said that the practice is inconsistent with the intent and spirit of the U.N. Security Council resolution. Where U.S. Citizens or crewmen are involved and where the aircraft concerned is operating under the U.S. flag the Department is investigating the circumstances,” the spokesman concluded.