State Department sources disclosed today that resumption of arms shipments to Jordan is under “intensified study” as a result of urgent Jordanian pleas of the last several days. It was revealed that the arms in question involved not merely spare parts but replacement of Patton M-48 tanks and artillery destroyed or captured by Israel during the Six-Day War.
Congressional sources disclosed that Jordan had also asked the United States for the supersonic “Hawk” anti-aircraft missiles of the type provided by this country to Israel and was trying to hire military technicians in France. The State Department refused to discuss the reported application on grounds that military sales were confidential. Details are released only through mutual agreement of the nations involved in such transactions, it was said.
A State Department source indicated doubt as to whether the Jordanian military establishment possessed the technical know-how to operate Hawks. It was pointed out that intensive training of Israeli missile experts was required before the Hawks sold to Israel became operational.
The State Department was depicted here as concerned lest Jordan, in desperation because of shortages accentuated by recent border friction, accept Soviet munitions offers. The status of King Hussein was said to be at stake as pressures from the Jordanian Army were intensified. A view was expressed here that the recent firing across cease-fire lines was a way of putting King Hussein “on the spot” because of the anxiety of Jordanian officers for new weapons. Some State Department officials are of the opinion that cover-fire for the El Fatah terrorists would be intensified and the cease-fire line deteriorated into a “DMZ” (Demilitarized Zone) like that separating the two Vietnams if the United States continues to desist from shipping arms. Should the Russians fill Jordan’s munitions demands, the situation would become even worse for Israel, officials said.
The current study involves the Central Intelligence Agency and the Departments of State and Defense. Officials were so preoccupied with Korea and Vietnam for the last fortnight that the Jordan issue was deferred. It was revived today because of “feverish” communications from Amman and the eruptions along the cease-fire line.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
