Reagan may ask Carter to come promote AWACS

October 6, 1981

President Reagan will probably invite former President Carter to the White House next week to rally support to salvage the sale of sophisticated radar planes to Saudi Arabia, a White House spokesman reports.

Deputy press Secretary Larry Speakes also said Mr. Reagan had been talking on the telephone in the last 10 days with Mr. Carter, a supporter of the AWACS sale. Mr. Speakes said that all former Presidents support the AWACS sale, which is vigorously opposed on Capitol hill.

Asked whether the statement by former President Nixon attributing opposition to the AWACS sale to the Israeli lobby had helped Reagan, Speakes said: "I wouldn't pass judgment on him." Jewish leaders have strongly critized Mr. Nixon's remarks.