Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 318 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 1539

U.S. Senate, Middle East Affairs: AWACS Sale controversy. A fascinating group of 56 letters from U.S. Senators sent during 1981 regarding the sale of AWACS surveillance planes to Saudi Arabia. Printed letters signed and sent by a number of Senators including Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy, William Proxmire, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Dan Quayle, Bill Bradley, Orin Hatch, John Glenn, Charles H. Percy, Gary Hart and Alfonse D'Amato; many represented by more than one correspondence. Some with printed statements, copies of the Congressional or other supporting information. All in United States Senate Official Business envelopes. In 1981, the Reagan administration, which was only a few months old, proposed the sale of AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) surveillance planes to Saudi Arabia. At the time, it represented the largest foreign arms sale in U.S. history. The formal introduction of the AWACS proposal to Congress by the White House in the fall of '81 met with a very cold reception from a number of senators. "This is one of the worst and most dangerous arms sales ever," railed Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy. With the Iran hostage crisis fresh in their minds, the U.S. public was also very reluctant to sell arms to any foreign body. A poll in May, showed that 52% of Americans opposed the sale, while only 19% were in favor. Israel was also, not surprisingly, a vociferous opponent. But despite what appeared to be overwhelming objections, the Reagan administration lobbied strongly -- touting the sale as an important component of bringing stability to the region, and ultimately Congress approved the sale. The letters are generally Very Fine and offer an excellent glimpse into the great AWACS controversy of the early Reagan era. [56]

Estimate
$300 to $500