A Carter Administration official told a Congressional panel today that “We firmly believe” that the projected sales of 14 C-130 transport planes and 12 pilotless, radio-controled reconnaissance aircraft to Egypt “are in the national interests of the United States.”
Alfred L. Atherton, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, said at a hearing before a subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee that “If we did not believe that we would not be proposing them” (the sales). He said that a “dramatic shift” in Egyptian policy has resulted in the Soviet Union having “ceased its role as a supplier of major equipment and to a large degree has also ceased its maintenance support for equipment which was previously provided” to Egypt.
Atherton denied that the sale of the aircraft, totalling about $240 million,. “materially will affect the regional balance of power.” He added, “Rather, by improving Egypt’s capability for the collection of information and for movement of troops and supplies, the items should enhance regional stability.” The U.S. sold six C-130 transports to Egypt early in 1976.
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