Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume IX, Arab-Israeli Dispute, August 1978–December 1980, Second, Revised Edition

279. Presidential Determination No. 79–13¹

Washington, August 3, 1979

SUBJECT

• Presidential Determination under Section 4 of the Arms Export Control Act—Egypt

Pursuant to the authority vested in me by Section 4 of the Arms Export Control Act,² as amended, I hereby determine that the financing under the Arms Export Control Act of the sale of F–4 aircraft and associated air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, the Improved-Hawk surface-to-air missile system, and TOW antitank missiles to Egypt is important to the national security of the United States.

You are requested on my behalf to report this determination to the Congress, as required by law.

This determination shall be published in the Federal Register.

Jimmy Carter

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 50, Presidential Determinations: 8/79–5/80. No classification marking. The attached Justification for the Presidential Determination, states, “Only the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict in its broadest context can assure stability in the Middle East. Until there is stability in the region at large, the concerns of Arabs and Israelis for their security, independence, and territorial integrity cannot be completely allayed. The Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty is to be the cornerstone of peace between Israel and all its neighbors. Egypt is leading the way toward the comprehensive peace that the Middle East so badly needs. Consequently, it is in the U.S. national interest to assist Egypt in meeting its legitimate security requirements, thereby bolstering Egypt’s resolve to continue to seek a permanent peace. The Egyptian Armed Forces are beginning a modernization program by replacing their Soviet-made equipment. The FMS financing will support some of the highest priority items in the Egyptian multi-year modernization program, and is in accord with the findings of Department of Defense fact-finding teams that have visited Egypt this year.” (Ibid.)
2. In his July 14 memorandum to Carter, Vance summarized Section 4 of the Arms Export Control Act: it “prohibits the use of funds appropriated under the Act in order ‘to guarantee, or extend credit, or participate in an extension of credit’ in connection with the purchase by an underdeveloped country of sophisticated weapons systems, unless the President determines that such financing is important to the national security of the United States, and so reports to the Congress.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 50, Presidential Determinations: 8/79–5/80)