King Hussein of Jordan told reporters yesterday that he was “satisfied with the results” of a meeting with Secretary of State William P. Rogers at which he reportedly urged the United States to pressure Israel into a prompt return to the stalled Jarring peace talks. The meeting, described by officials as a “working luncheon,” reportedly covered such topics as Jordan’s needs for U.S. military and economic assistance and the prospects of peace negotiations in the Mideast. King Hussein met with President Nixon on Tuesday. Jordanian sources here said the King had found a basic understanding on the framework of a political settlement among American officials. King Hussein is said to have urged the U.S. government to stand fast on Secretary Rogers’ territorial proposals of Dec. 9, 1969 which called for an Israeli withdrawal to its pre-June, 1967 boundaries with only minor adjustments. American officials were said to have found the Jordanian ruler to be “forward looking” about negotiations, indicating that he did not dwell on past grievances but was interested in a solution for the future.
Speaking to newsmen after yesterday’s luncheon, Hussein adamantly rejected the possibility of seeking separate negotiations with Israel. “The government of Jordan believes the Arab side as a whole must be one side and the Israelis must contribute their share under the auspices of the United Nations,” he said. He added, “It is a pity that no progress has been made until now. We really hope that some substantial progress could be made in the near future, thus eliminating any chances of deterioration.” King Hussein is reportedly asking the U.S. for $125 million in military aid over the next five years in addition to the $30 million being sought by the Nixon administration for Jordan in the supplemental foreign aid package now before Congress. According to informed sources, the $125 million request was broached by King Hussein Tuesday in talks with Defense Secretary Melvin R. Laird. A Defense Department spokesman said American and Jordanian military experts are reviewing the request. The $30 million grant is intended for both economic assistance and to replace military equipment destroyed or damaged in the Jordanian civil war last September.
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