Despite Reagan’s Assurances to Begin, There is Still the Possibility That the U.S. Will Sell Arms to

President Reagan’s letter to Premier Menachem Begin yesterday seeking to reassure Israel that the United States “has not changed” its policy toward Israel still leaves open the possibility that the U.S. will supply additional arms to Jordan and other Arab countries.

The President denied that Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger returned from Jordan with a request or proposal to sell the Hashemite Kingdom F-16 fighter jets and Hawk mobile missiles. But Weinberger has admitted that he discussed the weaponry with King Hussein and the Defense Secretary gave a clear impression while in the Middle East that he favored the sale.

The President, in his “Dear Menachem” letter, stressed that he is “determined to see that Israel’s qualitative technological edge is maintained” and reiterated that “Israel remains America’s friend and ally.”

But he added. “I believe it is in the interest of both our countries for the United States to enhance its influence with other Arab states in the region.” This position was stressed by both Weinberger and Secretary of State Alexander Haig in television appearances this week with the Defense Secretary putting it more bluntly by saying that the U.S. wants more than one friend in the Middle East.

In an appearance on the Public Broadcasting Service’s “MacNeil Lehrer Report” last night. Haig said that the U.S. takes the “requirement into consideration” to maintain Israel’s “technological superiority” in any arms deal it makes with an Arab state. He noted that Israel is a “front line state” in the Arab-Israel dispute and “their concerns about their security posture (is) longstanding understandable and certainly must be listened to sympathetically.”

Haig said that the Reagan letter was issued after the Administration saw the concern of Israel, as demonstrated by the Knesset resolution voicing deep concern Monday, which he said was heightened by exaggerated news reports from the Weinberger trip. Reagan may be asked to give a clearer explanation of U.S. arms policy at his news conference tomorrow.

But the Administration is also apparently worried that the Israeli concern over the U.S. policy might trigger reaction in Lebanon, perhaps with the Israel army crossing the border to wipe out the growing threat from Palestinian terrorist forces there. Reagan’s letter yesterday ended by saying.” I recognize the unique bond between the U.S. and Israel and the serious responsibility which this bond imposes on us both.” David Gergen, White House communications director interpreted this to be a call for restraint and consultation on both sides.

The Administration is so nervous about Lebanon that Reagan’s special envoy to the Mideast, Philip Habib, is expected to be sent to the area soon to help maintain the cease-fire across the Israeli-Lebanese border which he helped establish last July.

SEES NO ISRAELI THREAT TO LEBANON

Haig stressed last night that he doesn’t see any immediate threat of an Israeli troop movement in Lebanon. He said that Israel has been restrained and he expects them to continue to be restrained. He said that Israel has “cause” for “legitimate concern” as a result of a Soviet rearming of the Palestine Liberation Organization and PLO incursions into Israel from Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. He said the PLO and other parties involved in Lebanon also “have an obligation” to show restraint.

Haig also seemed to go out of his way last night to express sympathy for Israel’s growing concern as demonstrated in the flap over weapons for Jordan. He said any observer over the past few months “would understand that there is a growing sense of concern in Israel. After all, they joined the peace process at the time of Camp David in which both parties accepted risks. It’s now time to pay for that in the return of the Sinai. In the interim period we have had a number of unprogrammed jolts to Middle Eastern stability.”

Haig listed these as the assassination of President Anwar Sadat and two crises in Lebanon, none of which were the fault of either Israel or Egypt. “All of these things — Western and worldwide and American reaction to the Iraqi raid, the Golan annexation, have caused a great deal of concern in Israel which is both understandable and must be dealt with in an overall policy formulation from day-to-day,” Haig said.

REAGAN STRESSES COMMON BOND

Meanwhile, Reagan in accepting the credentials of the new Israeli Ambassador, Moshe Arens, yesterday, like Arens in his statement, stressed the common bonds between Israel and the U.S. “The U.S. recognizes Israel’s unique situation and is firmly dedicated to preserving Israel’s security and well-being,” Reagan declared.

“You may be assured that this commitment is a permanent part of U.S. policy in the Middle East, a fundamental tenet, unwavering and indestructable. We are also deeply aware of the many sacrifices Israel has made in the cause of peace. Israel’s courage in undertaking risks in search of lasting peace strikes a responsive chord in American hearts. In this as in so much, we find common philosophy and shared purpose with the Israeli people.”