The World : Saudi Arms Pact Loses Foe

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the primary pro-Israel lobbying group in Washington, dropped plans to actively oppose the Reagan Administration’s proposed sale of $354 million in advanced missiles to Saudi Arabia. Congress has 50 working days from the Administration’s formal notification March 11 to stop the sale, which includes 1,666 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, 200 Stinger ground-to-air missiles and 100 Harpoon ship-to-ship missiles. An official from the group said “the threat (to Israel) is not proportional to the fight that would have to be waged.” But a spokesman for Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.), who opposes the sale, said efforts to block it will proceed.