Reagan, Senate Leaders Compromise on $1-Billion Arms Sale to Saudis

President Reagan reached agreement Thursday with Senate leaders on a $1-billion sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia after Maverick air-to-ground missiles were eliminated from the arms package.

“This will not upset the military balance in the Middle East, it is not a threat to Israel and it helps a friend,” Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) said after meetings with Administration officials.

The inclusion of 1,600 Maverick missiles in the arms package, as originally planned, had caused a deadlock over the sale because of fears that the missiles could pose a threat to Israel.

Their elimination from the package leaves in the deal a dozen F-15 fighter aircraft, which will be shipped only as needed to replace current Saudi inventory; $300 million in electronic upgrades for planes now in the Saudi air force, and upgrades for the Saudis’ M-60 tanks and artillery vehicles.

‘No Confrontation’

The Administration plans to formally request the weapons soon, said Sen. Howard M. Metzenbaum (D-Ohio), who added: “We are pleased that there will not be a confrontation between Congress and the President” over the sale.

The agreement announced by the senators also specified that the Administration will not seek to sell $7-million worth of Stinger shoulder-fired ground-to-air missiles to Bahrain. Members of Congress feared the weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists.

“This may not satisfy everyone,” Dole said, noting that 68 senators had objected to the original sale proposal. “But I think it probably is going to be approved.”

It was not immediately clear whether the agreement also was acceptable to House leaders. “I would presume the White House is making the rounds and trying to put together a package,” said one House Democratic leadership aide.