The World - News from Aug. 4, 1988

The Reagan Administration has reached an accord with Congress that clears the way for a $1.9-billion arms sale to Kuwait, key House members said. Under the agreement, delivery of 40 F-18 warplanes and Maverick missiles will be stretched out, and Kuwait will return its current A-4 aircraft on a one-for-one basis as the F-18s are delivered, according to California Rep. Mel Levine (D-Santa Monica) and Rep. Lawrence Smith (D-Fla.). As part of the deal, Kuwait will be prohibited from buying equipment that would permit in-flight refueling of the F-18s, a ban that would mean the jets could not be used offensively against Israel. The planned sale had stirred opposition in Congress, which cited a possible threat to Israel.