The World - News from May 2, 1988

The Reagan Administration wants to increase arms sales abroad by $3.3 billion this year to more than $15 billion, the New York Times reported. The newspaper said that a confidential report from the State Department to Congress lists potential sales to 33 countries, including $3.6 billion to Israel, $3.3 billion to South Korea and $2.7 billion to Egypt. The arms sales proposal to Congress, as required by law, puts more emphasis on the Persian Gulf than in previous years, calling for advanced arms and equipment for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to counter threats from Iran, the newspaper said.