Arguing About Arabia's AWACS

Reagan faces a tough test of his credibility abroad

It is not only budget cuts: Ronald Reagan has got himself into a two-front war with Congress. Last week there were signs of hardening opposition on the Hill to the Administration's proposed $8.5 billion sale to Saudi Arabia of advanced military equipment, including five E-3A Sentries--computer-laden surveillance aircraft that carry Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS). Minority Leader Robert Michel told the President flatly that the deal is certain to be rejected by the House. Led by Republican Bob Packwood of Oregon and Democrat Henry Jackson of Washington, 50 Senators signed up as co-sponsors of a resolution disapproving the deal. Six other Senators were reportedly committed to vote against the sale, which can be blocked only if both houses disapprove.

The deal also involves Saudi purchase of Sidewinder missiles and fuel tanks for its F-15 jet fighters. But concern centers on the AWACS, which are capable of tracking planes and ships within a 250-mile range. Israel's friends in Congress believe the planes in Saudi hands would severely breach the security of the Jewish state. Opponents also contend that it is imprudent to give state-of-the-art military technology to a regime as potentially vulnerable to overthrow as the Riyadh monarchy.

The Administration appeared surprised by the strength of the opposition, but it is not about to give up. Said Chief White House Spokesman David Gergen last week: "Clearly, the President does not believe this is the end of the struggle. It's just the beginning." Secretary of State Alexander Haig strongly defended the deal in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He argued that the sale is essential to the improvement of U.S. relations with moderate Arab nations. "If our friends are more secure," he said, "they will be more able to take risks for peace." Just as Reagan has made the sale an issue of his own leadership and credibility abroad, the Saudis see the purchase as a matter of national honor. Said Haig: "To deny Saudi Arabia this basic means of self-defense is to deny it the sovereign status and respect essential to an enduring partnership."

Returning from his Europe trip, Haig met last week with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at New York City's Kennedy Airport. Haig was particularly concerned that statements by Begin about the AWACS threat to Israel's security would influence Senate votes, and the exchange was said to be heated. In fact, the Administration contends that a solid understanding with the Saudis minimizes any threat to Israel, and TIME has learned some of the details. Among other things, the Saudis have agreed: 1) not to pass on information gained from the AWACS to other countries, nor to allow foreign nationals to work on the planes; 2) to permit the U.S. access to AWACS-gathered data even after American technicians are no longer manning the planes; 3) not to fly the AWACS planes outside their own airspace. As a final safety measure, the planes sold to the Saudis will lack certain electronic devices now used on U.S. and NATO AWACS, notably gear designed to defeat hostile jamming efforts.

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