The ability of Arab forces to make effective use of advanced Soviet weaponry may be one factor used or being considered by President Richard M. Nixon in formulating his decision on Israel’s request for more Phantom and Sky hawk jets, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency learned today. That criteria was mentioned by an unidentified top White House official at an informal meeting with newsmen at the Overseas Press Club yesterday. But White House assistant press secretary Al Woods told JTA, “If that is a factor, it is only one factor. The studies have been made and the options outlined and it is all on the President’s desk at the moment.” Mr. Woods added that “I think it safe to say that until we make an announcement that any story would be really speculative.
Speculation has been rampant since March 1, the deadline set by President Nixon at his Jan. 30 press conference for announcing his decision on Israel’s request to purchase more American war-planes. That deadline passed with no announcement by the White House. Some sources here said the Administration will avoid a specific commitment to Israel as to the number of planes to be sold and when but would commit itself in principle to supplying Israel with the weapons necessary to maintain its superiority over Arab forces. Officials have been quoted as saying that at present Israel’s superiority seems assured and that the U.S. would act in ample time to preserve it if it appeared to be in jeopardy.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
