Jordan Premier Says Arab-israel Problem Will Eventually Be Solved

Namir Rifai, Prime Minister of Jordan, spelled out today a three-point set of problems that would have to be discussed when there are Arab-Israel talks for peace.

Those problems, he said, are, 1. The territorial question; 2. The question of the refugees; 3. Property problems. Reiterating what Jordan’s King Hussein said on a television program Sunday, Mr. Rifai declared at a luncheon here given by the United Nations Correspondents’ Association;

“The solution to the dispute must be found. Unless the solution is found, the area will remain troublesome. But it is not the responsibility of Jordan alone, or of the Arab States, or of the West–but a United Nations responsibility. Sooner or later the problem will be solved. We all want peace. No one wants trouble, no one wants war. Everyone talks of peace, even Russia. We want peace based on justice and recognition of the just rights of nations.”

Asked whether Jordan would accept from Israel an offer of compensation to those Arab refugees who are citizens of Jordan, Mr. Rifai said: “The refugees are an integral part of the Palestine problem and cannot be separated from it. ” He then listed the three points that would have to form the basis for Arab-Israel peace talks. Asked whether Jordan would also, like other Arab states, insist on the internationalization of Jerusalem, he said: “Jordan would accept that if Israel accepted.”

VAGUE ON ISRAEL’S REQUEST FOR FREE ACCESS TO MT. SCOPUS

Mr. Rifai was asked about the status of paragraph eight of the Jordan-Israel Armistice Agreement which, in Israel’s view, grants to Israel free access to the Holy Places on the Jordanian side as well as to Mt. Scopus. He replied:

“We made our view clear to Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold on this point but have not learned what the other view was. The question of free access to Mt. Scopus cannot be taken independently from other clauses of the general armistice agreement. But Mt. Scopus is covered by a separate local agreement which is recognized by the United Nations and by the two parties. This is an independent agreement, has no bearing on the general armistice agreement and therefore, Mt. Scopus is not under the general armistice agreement.”

Prime Minister Rifai, following the example, set by his King in various public appearances during the past week, seemed to make an effort at calm behavior when he answered questions concerning his country’s relations with Israel. Half of the small turnout of correspondents attending the luncheon were Jewish and many of the questions related to the Israel-Arab problem.

In answer to a question, as to whether Jordan agrees with proposals made here in the past by Henry R. Labouisse, ex-director of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, in regard to giving the refugees a choice between repatriation to Israel and compensation, Mr. Rifai stated:

“The refugees in Jordan differ in status from the other Palestinian refugees in that they are citizens, they have nationality, and they have rights and obligations. Jordan is the nearest geographical spot to their homes, and affords them a favorable place to be. Mr. Labousse did not make those proposals from a personal viewpoint but relied on the United Nations resolutions. Jordan’s view is that if this principle is upheld, then the only hope is that Israel should recognize it. If Israel does, it can, perhaps, help a great deal to ease some of the problems the refugees, face.”