Secretary of State Cyrus Vance agreed today to a consensus among a majority of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Carter Administration delay for a short time a final decision on its controversial sale of combat aircraft to Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Senators suggested a delay in the formal presentation of the $4.8 billion package to Congress at least until after President Carter’s meetings with Israeli Premier Menachem Begin here March 14-15.
Appearing before the committee which is conducting hearings on the U.S. foreign aid program for fiscal 1979, Vance was told by its chairman, Sen. John Sparkman (D. Ala.), that he “would very much hope that Congress would not be rushed into judgement” on the package proposals in view of the numerous pressures upon it such as the Panama Canal treaties ratification.
Sparkman suggested that the Administration should not expect the Senate to jump to conclusions and reminded Vance that in view of Begin’s visit shortly, much could happen in the next few weeks that may alter the Middle East picture.
Vance noted, in reply to the Senators, that the Administration has already given Congress ample notice of the package. He said the Administration feels it is “important to go forward promptly” with the sales. He warned that Egypt and Saudi Arabia could acquire their needs from other suppliers and “Israel is much better off if the Arabs buy from us.”
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