Israel denied today that an Ecuadorian cargo aircraft detained at Kennedy Airport in New York after a flight from Tel Aviv was carrying Israeli arms to Argentina. The Foreign Ministry informed the British Embassy here that there was no truth to reports that Israel is sending arms to Argentina. (Related story, P.3.)
According to press reports from the U.S., some Israeli nationals were among the crew of the Ecuadorian Boeing 707 who were being questioned by State Department officials. The plane reportedly was carrying high impact bombs manufactured in Israel.
According to the cargo manifest, the plane’s destination was Quito, Ecuador. U.S. officials reportedly became suspicious that the arms were for Argentina because they were not entered on the bill of lading. A U.S. Customs official in Washington confirmed to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in Washington today that on investigation was in progress to determine whether the shipment was legal and properly licensed.
American press reports quoted a State Department official as saying it was “highly speculative” that the cargo was destined for Argentina. Israeli officials conceded that the plane took off from Ben Gurion Airport and made a refueling stop at Shannon, Ireland. They refused to say what cargo it carried.
The reports from New York said the aircraft was owned by the Ecuadorian government, operated by Ecuador’s Equatoriana Airlines and leased to an Israeli company. Israel has a contract to service and maintain Ecuadorian planes at Ben Gurion Airport.
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