The Reagan Administration scrapped its proposed sale of 1,600 Maverick air-to-ground missiles to Saudi Arabia Thursday in the face of almost certain defeat in the Senate.
“I think the Administration realized wisely that the arithmetic was staring them in the face on this issue,” said Sen. Jesse Helms (R. N.C.). He explained that Senate opposition to the sale might be “the widest political wingspread in history.”
The Administration’s announcement to drop the sale came as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was meeting about legislation to oppose it. Sen. Bob Packwood (R. Ore.), who was leading the opposition, reported Wednesday if the President were to veto Senate legislation to halt the sale, the Senate could muster the 67 votes necessary to override it.
The day before, Richard Murphy, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, had urged Congress to approve the sale.
Lt. Gen. Philip Gast, director of the Defense Department’s Security Assistance Agency, told the Senators Thursday that the decision to rescind the sale was “due to obvious strong interests” in the Congress. He said he wasn’t sure if the sale would be resubmitted.
REPORTED ANGER AT SAUDIS
Congressional opposition to the $360 million missile sale increased after Saudi Arabia failed to assist the U.S. missile frigate Stark after it was attacked last month by an Iraqi jet in the Persian Gulf. The anger grew when the Saudis balked at assisting the 11 Kuwaiti ships to be flagged as American in the Gulf.
The Saudis also invoked Congressional ire for not getting involved in peace talks with Israel and for contributing $90 million to the Palestine Liberation Organization.
But there was also anger at the Reagan Administration for trying to force the Maverick sale without first meeting with legislators. “It’s a hell of a way to run foreign policy,” snorted Sen. Daniel Evans (R. Wash.).
“It is certainly not a good way to run foreign policy,” agreed Sen. Alan Cranston. (D. Calif.), who helped to lead opposition to the sale. “Our foreign policy problems started with the failure of the Administration to consult Congress before it made its decisions to close the sale. If we’re going to have consistent foreign policy it’s going to require consultations.”
Cranston also suggested that Congressional opposition to the Maverick sale was not a result of outside lobbying efforts, but rather indicated a widespread sentiment among Senators.
MURPHY DEFENDS SAUDIS
A reconsideration of the sale is likely to hinge on Saudi willingness to provide military assistance to the U.S. in the Gulf. Murphy suggested Wednesday that the Saudis have agreed to assist the Kuwaiti tankers, although he would not provide details.
Murphy, who said he was “frankly surprised” by the strong negative Congressional reaction to the sale, called the Saudis “dependable security allies.” He defended their actions on behalf of the Stark, noting that they called rescue helicopters after the ship was attacked.
Murphy also stressed that the Maverick missiles would “not significantly increase the threat to Israel.”
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