Northern (N): Bulgaria (NG). Claims Against Government of Bulgaria Resulting from Shooting Down of El Al Civil Airliner in July 1955

A file containing documents relating to the legal case in the International Court of Justice (I.C.J.) about the crash of El Al flight 402. Subjects discussed in the file include the drafting of the British "memorial" to be submitted to the court; the American request for a further extension to their submission deadline; and discussion of a court case in New York against El Al which the Israelis wanted to be heard in camera to avoid prejudicing the I.C.J. case. Documents in the file show that the United States State Department would not support the Israeli request, and considered that New York law would not allow a secret hearing; but that the court agreed to seal the case. Other documents in the file discuss the fee charged by a British barrister for his work preparing the case; and the Bulgarian claim that the I.C.J. was not competent to hear the case.