Miller Says Arms Sale to Jordan Would Upset Mideast Power Balance

Rabbi Israel Miller, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, expressed concern today that the proposed sale of a $350 million U.S. air defense system to Jordan will upset the precarious balance of power prevailing at present in the Middle East. In a statement issued here, Rabbi Miller rejected the Administration’s contention that Israel enjoys military superiority vis-a-vis Jordan. He stressed that in accordance with statements by King Hussein, it was the lack of an adequate air defense and missile system that prevented Jordan from joining a third-front attack against Israel during the Yom Kippur War.

Rabbi Miller stated that “the size and magnitude of the new American-Jordanian armament deal could upset basically the balance of power in the Mideast and, with it, destroy the present delicate negotiation for peace in the Mideast.” He called upon the Administration to reconsider this action which he termed “incomprehensible” and in fact incompatible with the present American peace efforts in the Mideast.