There are no Israel troop concentrations on the Jordanian border and there has been no change in Israel’s long-standing position toward Jordan based on the 1949 armistice agreement, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said today.
The statement was made in connection with reports that Syria, Saudi Arabia and Egypt were moving troops to enter Jordan in the event of any outbreak of disturbances there. The Foreign Ministry spokesman warned, however, that the pact was signed with Jordan as an independent country and any change of sovereignty in Jordan could raise the question as to whether the armistice agreement would remain valid.
Commenting on Arab charges of Israel plans for a military move against Jordan, the spokesman pointed out that both Premier David Ben Gurion and Israeli Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan are now on vacation and that in any case Israel is “not interested in fishing in troubled waters.”
Israeli diplomatic quarters said both internal and external Jordanian disturbances could be expected as a result of the ousting yesterday by King Hussein of his pro-Soviet Premier. They said it was possible that clashes might develop between King Hussein and some 3,000 Syrian troops stationed in Jordan who might become a force for President Nasser of Egypt in a showdown.
Meanwhile it was reported here that the Arab Legion, which is assumed to be loyal to King Hussein, has been ordered to take up positions in major urban centers. Jordanian cable and telephone links with outside countries have been cut and frontiers have been closed.
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