Air Superiority

The U.S. Air Force last week tentatively agreed to sell 25 of its hot F-86F Sabre jet fighters to the Dominican Republic and 22 more to Venezuela. Other Latin American countries, shopping for similar planes, have always gulped at the cost and backed away. But Washington thought that the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, both prospering under well-heeled strongmen, would be willing to pay the price. $9,000,000 and $8,000,000 respectively.

In the Caribbean, asputter lately with small wars, 47 jet fighters mean overwhelming military strength. Four Thunderbolts in the Guatemalan revolution last year, and two Mustangs in the Costa Rican invasion this year, were enough to drive their enemies out of the air; jets would be even more efficient against the best prop jobs.

But if they get U.S. jets,* will the Dominican Republic and Venezuela be tempted to try them against their neighbors? Washington thinks not. The Organization of American States' peacekeeping machinery is currently in good repair. And neither of the two nations, though they like to stay militarily up to date, has ever shown much taste for foreign adventure--even on such a suitable occasion as the Korean war.

* Venezuela already has 12 British jet bombers (Canberras) and 24 fighters (Vampires). The Dominican Air Force is a grab-bag of 42 old and new propeller planes, made in the U.S. or Britain.

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