Arms to Jordan. Saudia Denounced

The projected U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Jordan were denounced today by Rep. Bella S. Abzug (D-L NY) and Ramsey Clark, the former U.S. Attorney General. Both Abzug and Clark, who are seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, warned that the planned weapon sales represent “a threat to peace in the Mideast.”

Declaring that the U.S. “must stop acting as the major arms salesman to the Arab nations,” Abzug told a press conference at the Famous Dairy Restaurant on Manhattan’s West Side that “The Arabs already have a 3 to 1 advantage in weapons and manpower over Israel. Coming on the heels of the U.S. sales of six C-130s to Egypt, the Ford Administration’s plans to sell Saudi Arabia 2000 advanced sidewinder air-to-air missiles at a cost of $57.7 million will tip the scales even more sharply against Israel.”

The Congresswoman also expressed strong reservations about the proposed purchase by Jordan of a $540 million air defense system from the U.S. She said that she is “very much concerned” that the proposed arms sales to Jordan and Saudi Arabia can escalate the arms race in the Mideast and that these arms “may also wind up being used against Israel.” Abzug said she will oppose these sales in Congress.

In a statement issued here today, Clark said that “The time has come for the United States to abandon its role as the world’s major arms merchant, and promote instead a higher quality of life,” in the Mideast. “I urge that Congress limit American provision of military equipment to those democracies, like Israel, defending the fundamental human rights of their people,” Clark declared. “I further urge that Saudi Arabia join us in extending aid toward development of a Mideast Economic Community Plan.” Clark called upon Congress to reject both of the proposed arms sales.