The World - News from July 8, 1988

The Administration formally asked Congress to approve the sale of 40 advanced F-18 warplanes to Kuwait. The $1.9-billion deal is opposed by some in Congress who fear a threat to Israel and the further proliferation of sophisticated weapons in the Persian Gulf. The Senate--by voice vote and without opposition--quickly voted to strip the potent Maverick air-to-ground missile from the package. The twin-engine fighter-bomber, built by McDonnell Douglas Corp. of St. Louis, would be based at Kuwait’s Jaba air base, and its range--without refueling capability--is about 300 miles short of a round-trip mission to Israel. Congress has 30 days to pass a joint resolution of disapproval of the sale.