October 1, 1981
President Ronald Reagan announces a plan to sell planes to Saudi Arabia. The planned sale included both F-15 fighters and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System). AWACS were air platforms capable of directly tracking multiple aircraft from a great distance simultaneously.
Israel adamantly opposes to the sale. Reagan holds a press conference in which his statements of support of AWACS are seen as a direct challenge to the Israel lobby. “While we must always take into account the vital interests of our allies,” Reagan says, “American security interests must remain our internal responsibility.” Then, in what is obviously a reference to Israel, he adds: “It is not the business of other nations to make American foreign policy. … I suppose what really is the most serious thing is a perception that other countries must not get a perception that we are being unduly influenced one way or the other with regard to foreign policy.”
He also tries to reassure Israel’s supporters that the sale poses no threat to Israel, contradicting the statements of Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Defense Minister Ariel Sharon and other military experts.
Reagan also responds to critics’ fears that AWACS technology will fall into the hands of America’s enemies as it had in Iran, asserting that Saudi Arabia will not be permitted to be an Iran. According to a Harris poll, 59% of the American people oppose the sale, 28% favor it, and 13% are undecided.
The AWACS aircraft are sold to the Saudis, with the first ones delivered in 1985.
President Reagan’s complete press conference from October 1, 1981
