Showdown Battle Looms over Plane Deal

A showdown battle between the Administration and Congress appeared almost certain today after President Carter flatly rejected a Senate request to delay his proposed sale of advanced jet fighters to Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia and a key House committee overwhelmingly endorsed a “resolution of disapproval” of the aircraft deal. (See related story P.3.)

The vote by the House International Affairs Committee yesterday found 22 of its 37 members opposed to the plane package. The sale can be blocked if both houses of Congress adopt resolutions of disapproval within 30 days of submission of the plan. The Carter Administration sent the controversial package to Congress last Friday.

CARTER REJECTS FURTHER DELAY

Yesterday, Carter turned down a request by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for an extension of up to 90 days to allow more time to study the matter and permit a subcommittee to visit the three Middle East countries involved. In effect, it was asking the Administration to withdraw the sales proposal temporarily. But the White House said a delay would raise questions about U.S. commitments.

It said Congress had ample time to study the package deal because it had received informal notification as long ago as Feb. 14. “Withdrawal of the letter of intent at this time would call into question the seriousness of our commitments,” the White House said. “It would not further the peace process in the Middle East nor would it be in the foreign policy interests of the United States.”

Administration sources contended that there were sufficient votes in Congress to defeat a disapproval motion. But Congressional circles believe yesterday’s action by the House International Relations Committee dealt a severe blow to Administration hopes. The disapproval resolution was co-sponsored by Rep. Dante B. Fascell (D.Flo.) and Rep. Edward J. Derwinski (R.Ill.). It was signed by 15 Democrats and seven Republican committee members.