Kuwaiti Sees OK for Arms Deal With U.S.

This Persian Gulf state’s defense minister was quoted Sunday as predicting that the U.S. Congress will approve a compromise $1.9-billion arms deal with Kuwait.

Sheik Nawaf al Ahmed al Sabah told the daily newspaper Al Watan that the sale, modified to curb opposition within Congress, still met Kuwait’s needs.

“The deal will go through without complications from Congress after minor modifications were introduced,” he said.

Sheik Nawaf added that the changes will not affect the capability of the weapons.

The original deal included 40 F-18 warplanes, 200 model D anti-tank Maverick missiles and 100 Maverick G missiles intended for use against larger targets like warships.

Some congressmen fear that the weapons, particularly the anti-tank missiles, could be used against Israel, and the U.S. Senate in July voted 75-15 for an amendment to remove the 300 Mavericks from the package.

But a compromise was reached to sell 300 Maverick G missiles instead.