Rep. James H. Scheuer, Democrat from New York, today expressed concern at reports that Pres. Richard Nixon will refuse to sell war planes to Israel. In a letter to Pres. Nixon, Rep. Scheuer urged the President to approve the sale of planes, and added, “I firmly believe that the indication that the United States is weakening in its resolve to maintain the balance of power in the Middle East will encourage the Arab nations and terrorist guerrilla forces to intensify the war against Israel.” Mr. Scheuer, who recently returned from the Middle East where he visited Arab countries and Israel, said, “Present Israel air superiority must be maintained to keep the balance of power in view of the vast Arab superiority in manpower, territory and natural resources. From my recent talks with high Arab officials in Cairo and Amman, I am convinced that the only thing that will bring the Arabs to the conference table is the knowledge that Israel has a long range defensive capability.”
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