The Unite States Government has filed a suit at the International Court of Justice at The Hague this week against Communist Bulgaria because that nation has done nothing to fulfill reparations promises made in 1955 when the Bulgarians shot down an El Al Israel airliner. The U. S. claim is to cover damages for nine American passengers who were killed it seeks payment of $258,000.
It was pointed out here that at the time Bulgaria promised to pay, it was trying to get United Nations membership. Now that the desired U. N. status was attained, Bulgaria has, in effect, repudiated its promise.
American officials anticipate that Bulgaria will seek to evade the issue now before the International Court. The pre-Communist government of Bulgaria recognized the court’s jurisdiction in the 1920’s.
Israel filed an action with the tribunal earlier this month.
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