Word: 15s
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Emblazoned with the star of David, U.S.-supplied F-15s streaked low over the Mediterranean last week, protecting other Israeli planes on a bombing run of suspected Palestinian positions near Sidon and Damour in southern Lebanon. When the Israelis spotted eight Syrian MiG-21s flying toward them in close formation, the F-15 pilots fired their missiles. In the brief but fiery battle, which was joined by Israeli Kfir jets, at least six of the Syrian jets plummeted to earth. The Israelis returned to their home bases unscathed...
...first aerial clash between Syria and Israel in five years, and it had frightening overtones; similar clashes preceded the start of the 1967 and 1973 Arab-Israeli wars. The U.S. expressed its "serious concern" to Jerusalem over the use of the sophisticated F-15s, which were given to Israel with the proviso that they be used for defensive purposes only. Premier Menachem Begin rejected the protest, arguing that the aerial attacks on suspected terrorist positions were "only done for the sake of legitimate national defense...
...successes in Congress. The importance of G.O.P. support is most obvious in foreign affairs. Led by Minority Leader Howard Baker, 16 Republican Senators helped provide the one-vote margin that ensured passage of the Panama Canal treaties. Republican Senators voted 26 to 11 to authorize the sale of F-15s to Saudi Arabia, whereas Democrats opposed...
...sell the F-15s to Saudi Arabia-as long as we give the keys to the Israelis...
...repeatedly that if he were to support the package, he would betray their trust. But Carter, Vance, Brown, the Rockefeller brothers and even Jerry Ford, all called him to argue that the sales would serve the national interest. Danforth was also reminded by Missouri businessmen that the 60 F-15s wanted by Saudi Arabia would mean more jobs for the manufacturer, St. Louis-based McDonnell Douglas, already the largest (30,000) private employer in the state. Two hours before the balloting, Danforth was undecided. Finally, he cast his vote for the package. "It was the most difficult decision I have...