23 JULY 1988, Page 20

Who fired

Sir: Your editorial (9 July) states that, in 1982, Iran brought down an aeroplane on a flight from Cyprus to Teheran with the loss of 14 people, including the Algerian Fore- ign Minister.

To the best of my knowledge that aeroplane, which was carrying the team of Algerian diplomats who were attempting to negotiate between Iran and Iraq, was shot down by the Iraqis. That at least is the conclusion the Algerians reached although they have, in public at least, not com- mented on a crash that deprived their country of some of its most brilliant diplo- mats.

Francis Ghiles

Financial Times, Bracken House, 10 Cannon Street, London EC4