Press Conference on Questions
About AWACS
(October 24, 1981)
Q. Mr. President, do you
foresee any problems -- when you were gone,
a number of Senators have expressed the way
they will vote on AWACS. And do you see
any further problems for you in that area?
Are you still expected to win?
The
President. Well, I repeat my cautious, but optimistic,
statement, but say that's what I am back to get busy with again, and
see if we can't continue to get some of those who are undecided to realize
that the greatest security for the United States and the greatest security
for Israel rests with the sale of the AWACS to Saudi Arabia. And those
Senators who refuse to see this, I'm afraid are not doing their country
a service.
Q. Were there any futher discussions with Prince Fahd
while you were there? Did you discuss AWACS at all?
The
President. Never mentioned it.
Q. Is there any possibility that you will withdraw
the sale from the Senate?
The
President. No.
Q. In what ways are the Senators not doing their country
a service?
The
President. Because I don't think they're being
realistic about the dangerous situation in the Middle East, the threat
of the Soviet Union there, and the need for the United States and our
allies to make their presence felt in that area.
Q. [Inaudible]
The
President. We discussed that, discussed Egypt,
and what we view as Egypt's progress now. And all in all, it was a very
optimistic discussion.
Q. Do you think that Saudi Arabia has gone as far as
it can go in terms of assurances and guarantees, and do you think they
are sufficient enough to convince the 18 Senators you are going to meet
next week?
The
President. Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press International],
they certainly should be, because I can say that with all my heart,
we have guaranteed the security of the technology and the security of
Israel.
Q. Mr. President, do you still leave open the option
-- or do you leave open the option of bypassing the Senate if they do
not go along with the sale?
The
President. Well, that's something that I refuse
to even think about or discuss while we are still talking to Senators
who are honestly uncommitted and undecided and waiting to make up their
minds.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |