U.S. Not ‘actively’ Opposing Jordan’s Move in Security Council

State Department sources said today that the United States was not “actively” opposing Jordan’s view that the Security Council should take up Israeli activities in Jerusalem. Department spokesman Robert J. McCloskey said at today’s press briefing, however, that the U.S. continues “to prefer that the focus remain more on the obvious forms of quiet diplomacy.” The sources stressed the word “actively” in reference to the anticipated request by Jordan for a Security Council debate on Jerusalem. McCloskey said the State Department has been aware for some time that Jordan was considering asking for such a meeting. He added, “Whatever action the United Nations might take, I hope the matter will be handled in a way that will not complicate over-all efforts to establish peace in the area.”