Allon: ‘new Decision’ on ‘important’ Military Items Has Been Reached Between Israel and the United S

Israeli Foreign Minister Yigal Allon said today that “no new arms agreement” has been made between Israel and the U.S. but that a “new decision” on “important items” was reached by the U.S. He made those remarks during and after a 55-minute meeting with President Ford at the White House.

While posing for photographs in the Oval Office, Allon and Ford were heard conversing. According to reporters present, the Israeli Foreign Minister expressed his thanks and “satisfaction with your (Ford’s) new decision on the modern (inaudible) and other important items.”

Ford was heard to reply that “It obviously was the right thing to do to make certain that it was no question about the support and to meet the circumstances that we want to avoid.” No amplification of those remarks was given by the White House or by Allon when he met with reporters afterwards.

Allon told the reporters, however, that “there is no new arms agreement.” He said “The question in Israel is if the U.S. is living up to its commitments. The Prime Minister made clear that the U.S. is living up to its commitments, its promises, including certain items discussed long ago,” Allon said. (See related story from Israel.)

REJECTS ELECTION CONNECTION

Asked if the U.S. arms were in the form of assistance or a cash sale, Allon would say only that they were included in the “general agreement.” When reporters inquired if his discussion of arms with Ford had anything to do with the Presidential election campaign, Allon replied, “Why drag me into the elections? Negotiations have been going on for years–months before elections and months after elections. This is a continuing process.” Allon also said “I’m not supposed to interfere with the elections” when asked about the Administration’s position on legislation related to the Arab boycott.

Pressed by reporters about the “new arms deal,” the Foreign Minister said “the recent announcement” referred to “what we were looking for” and that the discussion was “very satisfactory.”

MIDEAST SITUATION DISCUSSED

Allon said in reply to questions that the U.S.-Israeli controversy over oil drilling in the eastern sector of the Gulf of Suez was not raised during his meeting with the President today. He said he was discussing that matter with Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger. But he said his talks with Ford included a review of the Middle East situation and “recent events to our step” He said they also discussed “prospects of peace in the Middle East as soon as momentum can be revived.”

The Ford-Allon meeting was attended by Kissinger and Gen. Brent Scowcroft, assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and chairman of the National Security Council. Allon was accompanied by Ambassador Simcha Dinitz; Ephraim Evron, deputy director general of the Israeli Foreign Ministry who had discussed the Gulf of Suez issue at the State Department last month; and Hannan Baron, Minister at the Israeli Embassy here.

PERSHING MISSILES NOT INCLUDED

White House press secretary Ron Nessen pointed out at a press briefing later that the President had approved “certain additional items of military hardware which Israel requested.” He stated that the decision was made by the President last week and transmitted to Israel. He said it was “part of the ongoing discussion” with Israel.

Nessen refused to describe the weapons involved. He emphasized, however, that they do not include Pershing surface-to-surface missiles which can be equipped with nuclear warheads. The transfer of Pershings to any country is opposed by Congress.

Nessen also emphasized that there was no increase in the U.S. commitment of $1 billion in military credits to Israel for fiscal year 1977 which began on Oct. 1 and that Congress would have to approve the transfers of weapons. This means that no action will be taken until the new Congress convenes in January.

Nessen said that some of the additional equipment for Israel includes “new items never before sold to Israel” as well as “additions to lists of previous items.” Asked if the arms decision had anything to do with the Presidential election campaign, the White House press secretary replied, “That is unworthy of an answer and not something I am even going to deny.”