New Push for Arms Sale to Saudis Planned

The Reagan Administration, arguing that Saudi Arabia’s ability to defend Persian Gulf oil supplies must be strengthened because of the Iran-Iraq War, is planning a $1-billion arms sale to the Saudis, including 1,600 Maverick anti-tank missiles whose sale was withdrawn in June because of congressional opposition.

Sources familiar with the plan said Sunday that the Administration is expected to notify Congress shortly after it returns from its summer recess Sept. 9.

Congressional sources, noting that the proposed package also includes up to 14 of the latest F-15 jet fighter planes and improvements to earlier-model F-15s and other American weaponry already in Saudi stockpiles, predicted that the move will touch off a major new test of strength between the White House and the Democratic-controlled Congress.

These sources warned that the Administration can expect pro-Israeli members and others disenchanted with Saudi Arabia to fight the plan with the same ferocity that forced the White House into its earlier retreat on the $360-million sale of Mavericks and that almost derailed another Saudi missile sale last year.

In May, 1986, President Reagan vetoed legislation blocking the sale to the Saudis of Sidewinder air-to-air, Harpoon air-to-sea and Stinger ground-to-air missiles, and he then had to fight t1864396385overriding the veto.

Administration officials, while confirming details of the plan, denied that that they were trying to gain “the advantage of surprise” by moving immediately after the recess. One senior official said the timing was dictated by the Persian Gulf situation and by the need for sufficient time for the required consultations with Congress before the end of its current session, which could come as early as October.

The same official also said there are “no surprises” in the proposed package because its components have been discussed in informal contacts with key members of Congress, leaders of American Jewish organizations and the Israeli government. He noted that Reagan, in withdrawing the Maverick sale proposal June 11, said the action was “only temporary.” Until now, however, the President has not indicated when he would launch a new sale effort.

Effective Deterrent

The senior official said the Administration believes that Iran’s increased threats, which led to U.S. escorts of reflagged Kuwaiti tankers, will strengthen Reagan’s arguments that a militarily strong Saudi Arabia can be an effective deterrent to the Iranians and also might alleviate the need for further increases in U.S. forces.

However, congressional opponents contended that recent events in the gulf have not significantly toned down the frustration and annoyance with Saudi Arabia on Capitol Hill, resulting in fierce opposition to the earlier missile sales.

The hostility was rooted in perceptions that the Saudis maintain high oil prices at the expense of the West, that they have been a negative force in Middle East peace efforts and that they have not been as helpful as possible to U.S. military and diplomatic efforts in the gulf war.

The critics said these resentments have not been allayed by private Administration assurances that the Saudis are cooperating closely in such areas as radar surveillance but have to keep their efforts quiet because of domestic political problems and to avoid an open confrontation with Iran.

In June, Congress briefly was swept by a wave of especially intense anti-Saudi feeling after unconfirmed and subsequently denied reports that a Saudi F-15 had refused to attack the Iraqi plane that seriously damaged the American frigate Stark in a missile attack last May.

Controversial Section

In addition to the Mavericks, the most controversial part of the new package is likely to be the proposal to sell 12 to 14 of the latest-model F-15s. The opponents charge the sale would be tantamount to providing the Saudis with an entire new squadron of planes valued at more than $500 million.

However, Administration officials said the planes are intended as “attrition aircraft” that would keep the Saudi fleet of F-15s at 60 planes by replacing aircraft that crash or wear out. The officials insisted that the Administration believes it had an unwritten understanding at the time of earlier F-15 sales that a cushion of replacement planes would be provided.