AMERICA REMINDS ALLIES ABOUT WAR COMMITMENTS

The U.S. Senate sent a clear signal Tuesday that it wants American allies to pay their fair share of the costs for fighting the Persian Gulf War. We applaud the sentiment and the voicing of it. Though taking the military lead, the United States did not have the only stake in preserving freedom in the Middle East. Other countries have pledged financial support to the liberation effort and are deserving of a nudge to remind them of their promises.

The Senate voted 98-1 to ban arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Germany and other U.S. allies until those nations deliver money pledged in support of the gulf war effort. The U.S. House earlier passed similiar legislation, though with an unspecified prohibition implied. The White House and the State Department are resisting the legislation as "unnecessary" but we believe the attitude expressed by the measure is in tune with the American public.

Many of the nations who have failed to pay are resource-rich or industrial powers. Saudi Arabia, which might have been next in Saddam Hussein's annexation sights, has delivered only $6.1 billion of its promised $16.8 billion. Japan, which contributed no gulf fighting forces though heavily dependent on Middle East oil, has paid only $7.3 billion of its $10.7 billion pledge. Germany owes $2.2 billion on its $6.6 billion commitment.

America has borne a great share of the military burden in the Persian Gulf. Other countries, especially those with the means, should now live up to their financial obligations for restoring peace to the region. The United States is right to remember these nations of their commitments.