Vance Says ‘no Conclusions Have Been Reached’ on Planes Sale Compromise

The Carter Administration and Congress continued today to attempt to work out a compromise on the Administration’s proposed $4.8 billion Middle East plane sale amidst reports that President Carter has agreed to increase the number of F-15s being sold to Israel.

But Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, when questioned about a compromise during his testimony before the House International Relations Committee, would only say that talks are continuing between the Administration and Congress but “no conclusions have been reached.” When the House committee asked Vance specifically about more planes for Israel, he said it had been suggested by members of Congress and “that’s all I can say.”

However, there were reports today that the Administration would agree to provide Israel with an additional 20 F-15s. These along with the 15 originally proposed by Carter in the present package and the 25 F-15s Israel already has, would give Israel 60 F-15s, the same number as Saudi Arabia is to receive. Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who supported the sales to Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in testimony yesterday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that Israel should get the same number of F-15s as the Arabs.

Vance appeared before the House committee today along with Defense Secretary Harold Brown and Paul C. Warnke, director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, the same group of Administration top guns who testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week. Their testimony today was basically a repeat of the earlier performance.

Vance reiterated his belief that the sales would maintain the balance of power in the Mideast and “will support the Middle East peace process. At this delicate moment, we need the maximum cooperation, confidence and trust of Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.” He cautioned that failure to proceed with the sale will seriously undercut the American role in the peace process and raise grave doubts about U.S. readiness to work with moderate governments in the region.

Brown said that “in my judgement there is no significant military risk to Israel from the sale to Saudi Arabia.”He noted that the Saudis know they have “military limitations” in relation to Israel which would not be overcome by the sale. “For example, Israel is already receiving F-15s,” while the Saudis won’t get their planes until 1981-84, Brown said.

HOPEFUL OF ACCOMMODATION

Prior to the House hearing today, Vance discussed the plane sales with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at a breakfast meeting. “I think definite progress has been made and I am hopeful that further progress will lead to an accommodation,” Sen. Frank Church (D.Idaho) told reporters after the meeting. Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd (D.W.Va.) said he was optimistic although no decisions had been reached.

Sen. Jacob Javits (R.NY) also said “I believe we are on the road which could lead to a settlement.” When asked if the proposed compromise involved more F-15s for Israel, Sen. Clifford Case (R.NJ) said, “I can only leave it to your own judgement that if that is not one of the elements, then I do not know what we are talking about. But that is only one of many factors in the equation.” Committee chairman John Sparkman (D.Ala.) interjected, “that is a good way to say yes.”