Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-08-10
New DeadIine
Near on Flying
SobIen Back

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LONDON, Aug. 10 (AP).-
Britain's second midnight dead
line for the e Al airline to ship
DR.. Robert Soblen to the United
States neared today, and an
aviation source reported "a
strong possibility" the fugitive
spy would be aboard the Israeli
alrline's night flight for New
York.
There was no confirmation
from FL Al, however, and no
indication that it would modify
its refusal to take Soblen to
America. Et
In Tel Aviy, passengers for
today'S FL Al Flight 265, due to
depart at 3 pm. for an 8 pm.
stopover in London were told
it would not take off before S
pm, for technical reasons. I"
That would set back the time
pattern in London to Just two
hours before the midnight
deadline.
But at 6 pm. Israeli time the
plane was still In Israel, with
no word on the hour Of de-
parture. There was specula-
ton around the airfield that
the flight might 60 direct to
New York, bypassing London
The Israeli government had
instructed the airline that II
Soblen was put aboard a New
York flight. the other passen-
gers should be removed and
Soblen taken to Israel.
I'VE have no booking for DR..
Soblen, but there are a few
seats remaining" an FL Al
spokesman said.
This is an extremely deli
cate matter involving three
governments" a qualified avia-
ton source said. II am not at
liberty to divulge anything
definite"
Flight at 4P.M.
But he advised newsmen to
be at London Airport for the
planes 8 pm. a pm. EDIT
departure time. There is a
strong possibility that DR..
Soblen will be on it," he said.
Britain's Home Office set
Wednesday midnight as the
deadline for Ell AL to fly Soblen
to New York but extended the
deadline until tonight when
the Israeli government refused
to deliver the fugitive to
America.
The Home office gave FL AL
the option Of designating an
other airline to act as its agent
in transporting Soblen. Pan
American offered to take him,
but FL AL said it had no inten-
ton Of asking another airline
to take the convicted spy to
America.
The flight Of the 61-year-old
psychiatrist sentenced to life
Imprisonment for wartime spy
ing for the Russians has en-
broiled the United States,
Britain and Israel in a legal
wrangle.
Soblen jumped 100000 bail
in New York in late June and
fled to Israel using q dead
brothers passport. Israel ex-
PEELED him as an illegal immi-
grant and put him on an FL
Al plane for New York with
a United States marshal.
The airline landed Sohlen In
Britain after he slashed q wrist
and plunged a knife into his
stomach during the flight. Two
British courts ruled that he
had no permission to remain in
Britain and could stay only
until able to travel.
Offered Czech Haven
Israel has been under pres
sure from the United States
and Britain to return Soblen
to New York. But the Israeli
government Is under heavy
political pressure at home from
persons who question his ex-
pulsion without a court hear
ing. If he is returned to Israel,
he probably will wind up In
Communist Czechoslovakia,
which has offered him asylum.
A British Home Office
spokesman. asked If any ar
rangements have been made
for Soblen's departure, cited
the deadline given FL AL.
I'VE are not responsible for
the arrangements Ell AL may be
making to meet that deadline, +"
he said. =
If Soblen does leave, he said,
1t will be the duty Of Scotland
Yard to escort him the 20 miles
from Brixton Prison to London
Airport. Scotland Yard pro-
fessed ignorance Of any escort
n