A Senate-House Conference Committee is to adjust differences between two amendments of the Export Administration Act designed to toughen U.S. sales of transports to countries aiding terrorists. Libya, Iraq, South Yemen and probably Syria would be immediately affected by the legislation, Congressional sources told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Algeria’s situation is not clear, the sources said.
The House on Tuesday adopted an amendment offered by Rep. Milicent Fenwick (R. NJ), which would require an export license for aircraft sales exceeding $7 million. This would ban the transfer of equipment such as the Boeing 727. Her amendment would also require the Administration to notify the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee of proposed sales. The Secretary of State would determine which countries are supporting terrorists and the military potential of aircraft proposed for sale. There was no floor opposition to the measure.
The Senate had previously adopted a similar statement authored by Sen. Jacob Javits (R. NY), which would prohibit sales of aircraft if the President determines it is not in the national interest. The legislation stems from sales last year of 400 U.S. made heavy duty trucks to Libya designed to carry petroleum rigs but which could also be used to move heavy tanks. The exposure resulted in the cancellation of the order. Smaller trucks were substituted.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
