OCR Text |
Show YVl CONGRESSIONAL rVi REPORT j DAN MARRIOTT Just as the dust is beginning begin-ning to settle In Washington from the battle over the Reagan economic package, a new controversy is appearing appear-ing on the horizon. Tne Administration has informed Congress that it intends in-tends to sell advanced Airborne Air-borne Warning and Control Systems radar planes and jet fighter equipment to Saudi Sa-udi Arabia. Almost before the announcement was past tl.o gates of the White House .rambers of both branches of Congress had their staffs scurrying around their offices of-fices drafting legislation to block the deal. The primary objection to the sale is that the planes would allow the Saudis to monitor movement within Israeli Is-raeli territory. Israel's supporters sup-porters claim that even if Saudi Arabia weren't at war with Israel, it could give other Arab nations advanced warning of Israeli air strikes. At this point the mood of Congress seems to indicates that Mr. Reaean faces anduphill struggle to prevent his. plan from being shot down by a veto. I contend that this $8.5 billion bil-lion arms package, which has been called "the cornerstone" corner-stone" of the President's policy to strengthen the strategic stra-tegic environment of the Middle East, is necessary if we are to protect American interests in the oil reserves of the Middle East from Soviet aggression. I don't buy the argument that the sale will endangers Israel's national defense for several reason: Awacs don't have offensive capabilities. They merely provide the Saudis with the technology necessary to monitor activity in the airways air-ways surrounding their country. The sale of these radar planes, along with limited supplies of jet -fighter equipment, equip-ment, will be accompanied by strict restrictions governing gov-erning their use. The Saudis have agreed to give the U.S. access to data gathered by the AWACS and to limit the transfer of that information to other countries. coun-tries. Access to the AWACS and associated ground equipment will be restricted toUJS. and Saudi personnel. In addition it has been predicted that due to the complexity of these planes several hundred civilian and Air Force workers will have to accompany them to Saudi Arabia for upkeep and repairs. re-pairs. I This promises to culminate cul-minate in a legislative battle I equal in intensity to the de -bate over the econom ic pack -I age. It is unlikely that the I President will receive the t unanimous suuport of his party which he has gotten in ' the past, and the liberals will likely strive to un-' un-' dermine the plan. I believe j it is imperative for the UJS. to do all it can to help countries in the Middle East I to suppress and discourage I Soviet expansionism in that L area, and theavailability I of modern arms such as the L AWACS is one way to do this. I So, I will be working with i the Administration to rally r our forces in Washington i and gain another much-f much-f needed victory. It promises to be an interesting course of events. |