Reagan to Go to the Mat for Saudi Arms Sale

President Reagan will engage in “hard lobbying” to win enough votes to sustain a veto of legislation blocking a $354-million missile sale to Saudi Arabia, his spokesman said today.

Reagan has not yet vetoed the legislation, but is expected to do so shortly. The measure was approved by votes so lopsided that they far surpassed the two-thirds needed to overturn a veto.

The vote against the missile sale was 73 to 22 in the Senate and 356 to 62 in the House.

White House spokesman Larry Speakes said he expected Congress to attempt to override Reagan’s veto next week. “So time is short,” he said.

To reverse the congressional action, Reagan will engage in “hard lobbying, pointing out the facts of the matter, what the perceptions will be in the Middle East among moderate Arab nations if that is defeated,” Speakes said.

Further, he said, the President will explain “what people will think about the reliability (and) friendship of the United States if that is defeated. We will point out all those things.

“I think the perception of the United States among moderate Arab nations is that we may not be a reliable partner in the Middle East if we do not continue . . . what we’ve done for the Saudis,” Speakes added. “I think they will look at us as one who may not be as steadfast in our support of moderate Arab states.”

Speakes said it has not been determined whether groups of congressmen and senators will be taken to the White House to hear Reagan’s arguments. That tactic has been used previously.

White House Chief of Staff Donald T. Regan has predicted that the President will be able to change enough minds to sustain a veto.