Administration Officials Dispute Charge U.S. Arms Sale to Jordan Would Tip Mideast Power Balance

Two Administration officials disputed the contention by Congressional opponents of the sale of a $350 million U.S. air defense system to Jordan that It would tip the balance of military power in the Middle East against Israel.

Testifying at hearings that opened yesterday before the House subcommittee on international political affairs and military sales, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and Southeast Asian Affairs Alfred L. Atherton, Jr., and Maj. Gen. Howard M. Fish, USAF, Deputy Assistant Secretary for security assistance at the Defense Department, claimed that the projected sales to Jordan were “modest compared with the defense systems of other countries in the area” and “would not alter the balance of power in the Middle East.”

As of yesterday, 45 members of Congress were co-sponsoring a concurrent resolution introduced Monday by Rep. Benjamin Rosenthal (D.NY) objecting to the sale and calling for hearings, A similar resolution was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Clifford Case (R.NJ)

SALE WOULD AID U.S. IN MIDEAST

Atherton, repeating the testimony he had given Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, characterized Jordan as a moderate country and contended that the arms sales would benefit American foreign relations in the Middle East, because if the U.S. refused to supply the air defense system Jordan would have no difficulty obtaining the equipment from other countries. He said the strength of Jordan’s present defense system was far below that of the surrounding countries and that King Hussein, in his visits to the U.S., had expressed concern that Jordan could not assist Syria should that country come under attack.

Atherton agreed with Rosenthal that one reason Jordan did not participate in the Yom Kippur War was because of the weakness of its defense system. But he said he was not aware of any joint military administration between Jordan and Syria. One of the major objections to the sale of the air defense system to Jordan has been that it has entered a joint military pact with Syria and that a modern, sophisticated air defense umbrella would enable it to join that country in a concerted attack on Israel.

Replying to questions by members of the panel, Atherton said the flow of American arms to Israel previously agreed to was not interrupted when the Ford Administration began its reassessment of Middle East policy March 23. He also claimed that there was “no coincidence” between the reassessment and the presentation to President Ford of Jordan’s request for an air defense system. He said the President was briefed on the proposed sale as early as Feb. 10, more than a month before the reassessment was ordered.

QUANTITY OF WEAPONS CLASSIFIED

Fish testified that the air defense system sought by Jordan was far smaller than similar systems of other countries in the area. He said its capability was equivalent to one-fiftieth of the “Redeye” or equivalent systems in the area; one-sixtieth of the “Hawk” or better systems, and one-thirtieth of other air defense systems. He defined the area as embracing Egypt, Israel, Syria, Iran, Iraq and Jordan.

While the exact quantity of the weapons proposed for Jordan is classified information, Fish said the breakdown recently reported in the press was “in the ball park.” It was reported on July 12 that the U.S. proposed to sell Jordan 14 batteries of “Hawk” surface-to-air mission eight batteries of “Vulcan” anti-aircraft guns: and about 300 shoulder-fired “Redeye’ anti-aircraft missiles.