The proposed sale of 100 M-60 tanks to Jordan advanced today when the Defense Department announced that the $160 million deal will be presented to Congress for approval. The tanks, equipped with night vision devices, are part of a 200-tank package President Carter promised King Hussein of Jordan, during his Washington visit last month to modernize Jordan’s armed forces.
Israel has vigorously opposed the tank sale although Pentagon officials insist it will not affect the military balance in the Middle East because Jordan has promised to phase out its older M-48 tanks. The Administration has claimed that the sale will improve U.S. ties with Jordan and help persuade Hussein to join in the current Middle East peace process based on the Camp David accords. The Jordanian ruler, however, gave no indication when he was here that he has softened his opposition to the Israeli-Egyptian autonomy negotiations.
Congress has 30 days to black the tank sale out sources on Capital Hill predicted that it will be approved.
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