Arms Sale to Jordan ‘Absolute Necessity,’ Shultz Tells Congress : Some Members of Senate Panel Remain Opposed

Secretary of State George P. Shultz told Congress today that selling Jordan $1.9 billion of modern air defense weaponry represents a potent signal of American support and is “an absolute necessity” for success in the Mideast peace process.

But several members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee made clear that they remain opposed to the sale and warned Shultz that in the absence of real movement in the peace process it may be disapproved.

Sen. Rudy Boschwitz (R-Minn.) said that King Hussein had made many statements about moving toward peace with Israel and that he welcomed them but “I disagree he has made any meaningful move.”

Shultz said Hussein has restored diplomatic relations with Egypt, the only nation having a peace agreement with Israel, and is acting to control terrorist infiltration across his borders into the Jewish state. Hussein is also committed to peace negotiations with Tel Aviv, Shultz said.

Nothing ‘Beyond Words’

Boschwitz said most of these statements were in Hussein’s self-interest and have not resulted in direct negotiations.

“I do not see beyond words that the king is moving forward in the peace process,” Boschwitz said.

“King Hussein has not said he won’t move,” Shultz said. “He is moving. He is already paying a price. He needs help.”

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) noted that 20 senators have already co-sponsored a resolution of disapproval and said that if progress is not made, “you will fail in this effort.” He urged that the sale be temporarily postponed.

‘Need Is Present Now’

But Shultz insisted, “The need to show we stand with King Hussein is present now.”

Shultz acknowledged that the United States probably will be called on to pay much of the cost of the sale of advanced warplanes and ground-to-air missiles.

But he portrayed Jordan as beset by hostile Arab states and imperiled by Hussein’s recent moves toward negotiations with Israel. And he insisted that those moves are “not just talk” but represent an important opening in the peace process.

“To refuse to meet Jordan’s needs at this juncture would not only be a real break with continuity but would also be a signal that the United States does not fully support the king’s peace efforts,” Shultz said.

He said the sale in no way poses a military threat to Israel, whose long-term security he said can come only through peace with its neighbors.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir was to meet with committee members later today to press his opposition to the arms deal.