FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                   CRM
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1994                                  (202) 616-2765
                                                         TDD (202) 514-1888

               OAKLEY PAYS $5,000 FINE FOR IMPROPER LOBBYING

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Justice announced
today that the former head of the State Department's Counter-
Terrorism Office, Ambassador Robert B. Oakley, has agreed to pay
a $5,000 civil fine to resolve allegations he improperly lobbied
the U.S. government to have restrictions lifted on Lebanon's
Middle East Airlines after he left public service in 1992.
     The airline was banned from flying to and from the United
States in 1985 because of inadequate attention to the problem of
terrorists using the Beirut International Airport.  The ban is
still in effect.
     Oakley was investigated for violating a post-employment
lobbying restriction, 18 U.S.C. Section 207 (a)(1), which imposes
a lifetime bar on trying to influence government action on a
matter in which a former official participated personally and
substantially while in the government.  Oakley received a total
of $100,000 in fees over two years, some of which was for
improper lobbying activities. 
     According to the public filings, Oakley, who ran the
counter-terrorism office from 1984 through 1986, took part
personally and substantially in the presidential decision to ban
Middle East Airlines.  In 1992, after he left the State
Department, Oakley and his consulting company, C&O Resources,
contracted with the airline to assist it to get the ban removed,
and made written and oral presentations to government officials
during 1992 and 1993 on the airline's behalf.
     In its filings, the Department charged that Oakley's actions
violated the strict post-employment restrictions even though
Oakley fully disclosed that he was representing Middle East
Airlines to the officials he contacted, and did not recommend
that the ban be lifted until and unless the airline and the
Beirut International Airport made significant improvements to
their security.  Oakley's activities did not cause the State
Department to take any action with regard to the airline.  
     Oakley, who also served as Ambassador to Pakistan and
Special Envoy to Somalia, agreed to make no further
representations in the matter and to waive any fees he might have
earned had his effort to have the ban rescinded been successful.  
The Public Integrity Section of the Justice Department's Criminal
Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C. said
the civil resolution was equivalent to the maximum sentence
available under the sentencing guidelines had the case been
criminally prosecuted.
     The State Department's Office of Inspector General 
participated in the investigation, as well. 
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