State Department Denies Reagan Criticize Israel’s Right to Publicly Oppose Awacs Sale

A State Department spokesman has denied that President Reagan in his press conference statement last Thursday was criticizing Israel’s right to publicly oppose the sale of AWACS and other military equipment to Saudi Arabia.

Department deputy spokesman Alan Romberg said last Friday what the President was saying was that only the United States government has the right to make decisions on its own foreign policy. But he noted that Secretary of State Alexander Haig has said on many occasions that Israel and other countries have the right and even the “obligation” to “express the view on issues that affect them.”

Reagan, in announcing that he has sent the $8.5 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia to Congress, declared that “it is not the business of other nations to make American foreign policy.” When he was asked if he was specifically speaking about Israel, he said “well, or anyone else.”

Romberg said the President was making an “obvious point” that “we make our own decisions.” He said the President was speaking about “perception.” Reagan in his remarks said that “other countries must not get a perception that we are being unduly influenced one way or the other with regard to foreign policy.” A State Department source said the President was also referring to members of Congress.

CONGRESS DUE TO VOTE THIS WEEK

Both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee are scheduled to vote on the package deal this week and both are expected to recommend that their respective bodies reject the sale. Congress has until Oct. 30 to adopt resolutions of disapproval. Both Houses must adopt a resolution to veto the sale.

The House is expected to overwhelmingly reject the sale and the Administration is waging a bitter fight in the Senate where a resolution of disapproval, signed by 50 Senators, half of the Senate membership, was formally introduced by Sen. Bob Packwood (R. Ore.).

JEWISH LEADERS CRITICIZE REAGAN

Meanwhile, leaders of American Jewish organizations criticized Reagan for saying that “it is not the business of other nations to make American foreign policy.” Charlotte Jacobson, chairman of the World Zionist Organization-American Section, said she agreed with that view but added: “Because it is the business of this nation, its leaders and its people alone, that it is incumbent upon its concerned citizens to express their considered judgement on the critical AWACS issue.”

In her statement, which was sent to Reagan at the White House, Mrs. Jacobson said that Saudi Arabia, not Israel, “is exerting a tacit and harmful influence upon our foreign policy. It is as a concerned American devoted to my country’s welfare, and who believes Saudi Arabia’s possession of the AWACS would be against the interests of the United States peace and security objectives in this critical Middle East area that I oppose this sale.”

Rabbi William Berkowitz, president of the Jewish National Fund, stated: “There is nothing wrong with taking into account the interests, fears and concerns of those other countries with which America shares a vision of a free and peaceful world. Israel’s security is a legitimate and important issue in the formulation of American foreign policy; the President himself expressed concern for Israel’s safety in discussing the Saudi arms package.

“Nor is there anything wrong when Israel and its friends assert their claim that the deal is dangerous for Israel’s health. Saudi Arabia sent Prince Bandar bin Sultan to this country as part of an intense lobbying effort in behalf of the arms package, and there was nothing wrong with that either. Both Israel and Saudi Arabia are directly affected by the AWACS deal and both have a right and a responsibility to express their positions. It is up to the President and to the Congress to evaluate the opposing arguments and come to a decision.”

Rabbi Joseph Sternstein, president of the American Zionist Federation, said Reagan’s statement created “a most unfortunate and ominous atmosphere” which “can only adversely affect the relationship between the U.S. and Israel, and create further instability in the Middle East.

“I strongly suggest that Saudi Arabia’s activities and efforts to influence Washington, and world economics, have been far more deleterious to U.S. policies than have Israel’s efforts in its own defense. You are postulating a double standard. Are Saudi lobbying efforts in Washington to be ignored while only Israel’s are to be condemned? Further, there is a disturbing implication in your remarks that American citizens cannot speak up for what they consider to be the best interests of our country. Are you implying, by your remarks, that a large number of Senators who oppose the Saudi arms package are being directed by a ‘foreign power’ and are placing their government’s interests in a subsidiary position?”