Carter Adamant About Plane Sale

President Carter said today he would agree to a delay of two to three days but no more in submitting to Congress his proposed package of jet planes for Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. But he again stressed that if Congress rejects the sale of planes to any of the three countries he will withdraw the entire package. Carter, answering questions at a press conference, said he had not been asked by any Congressmen for a delay except for one Senator, who he did not name. He noted that Congress would have to deal with the proposal for each country separately, but if they are not all approved he will withdraw the proposals.

The President said that all three proposed sales are based on commitments made by the U.S. government to the three countries. The commitments for the sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia were made by the previous Administration in September 1975, he noted. Carter said it was his “deep belief” that the U.S. should plan for the lang range security of Israel and he believed that helping moderate Arab governments was in the interests of Israel.

On the question of the planes to Saudi Arabia, which is the most controversial aspect of the package, Carter said “we will not sell the planes to Saudi Arabia if we thought they would use them against Israel.” He said “I am completely convinced” that Saudi Arabia wants the planes only for defensive reasons. He said the planes only for defensive reasons. He said the planes would not be stationed at Tabuk, the new Saudi airfield that is within range of Israel.

Carter also said he was still “optimistic” about chances for an Egyptian-Israeli agreement, noting that “remarkable progress has been made” in the past year. He stressed that “I am firmly convinced that both Egypt and Israel want peace.” He said while there will continue to be ups and downs, “progress toward peace is steady.”