Israeli former spymaster and diplomat, David Kimche, dies

Mar 9, 2010, 13:13 GMT

Jerusalem - David Kimche, a former deputy-director of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, who became one of the country's top diplomats, has died aged 82.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to Kimche as a man who filled 'a long series of vital positions ... with great ability and dedication.'

Kimche was a key player in the so-called 'Iran-Contra' affair, when the US allowed Israel to sell arms to Iran, in defiance of an international embargo, and then used the profits to bankroll anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua.

Born in London in 1928, Kimche immigrated to Israel at age 20, and joined the Mossad in 1953, rising though its ranks to become deputy- director.

He left the Mossad in 1980, and was appointed Director-General of the Foreign Ministry, serving until 1987.

After retirement, he worked as a guest lecturer at Israeli universities, and served as chairman of the Israel Council of Foreign Relations.

Kimche, a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Sorbonne in Paris, also worked for a time as a journalist. He published several books, some of them written together with his brother Jon, a well-known British journalist.