Vol. 411 No. 7
101 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the claims by Oliver North on the use of an Israeli Boeing 707 disguised in Aer Lingus colours during a clandestine visit to Teheran at the time of the Iran-Contra scandal; the clarification which has been received from the US Government on the issue; and the action he now proposes to take as a consequence.
The autobiography of Colonel Oliver North claims that the Israeli Air Force 707 carrying his party to Iran in May 1986 was repainted with the markings of Aer Lingus. I would regard such a misuse of Aer Lingus markings as totally unacceptabe. We have raised the matter with the US authorities to express our concern and to ask for an explanation. The US authorities have not, to date, confirmed or denied the claim but they have indicated that they would deplore any such activities by employees of the US Government.
