M.E. deal modified

Press, 1 May 1978, Page 8

M.E. deal modified

NZPA Washington President Jimmy Carter’s decision to modify a demand that Congress treat the proposed sale of warplanes to Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia as a package has improved chances that Congress will approve the deal, the Senate Democratic leader. (Mr Robert Byrd) has said.

“It’s still going to be a difficult, matter,” Senator Byrd told reporters. 'The West Virginia Democrat said the Senate would vote separately on each of the three proposed sales. The price tag for all the planes is SUS4.B billion. The Administration had insisted that the sales—6o verv advanced Flss to Saudi Arabia, 50 less sophisticated F5Es to Egypt, and 90 Fss and Fl6s to Israel — should be treated as an all-or-noth-ing package. Saudi Arabia was “a moderating influence” in the Middle East and the sale of Fl 5 fighters to the oil-rich Arab nation would be “in the interests of the security of Israel in the long run” and in the United States national interest as well, said Senator Byrd.