The White House has reportedly advised the Israel Embassy here that President Nixon will meet with Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan on Friday. Questioned today about a Nixon-Dayan meeting, White House press secretary Ronald Zeigler told newsmen, “for the time being I do not know a specific time or date but we do anticipate that the President will see Dayan.” Mr. Zeigler promised to let reporters know more definitely tomorrow. Meetings have already been scheduled for Gen. Dayan with Secretary of State William P. Rogers, Defense Secretary Melvin R. Laird and other top administration officials. Dayan is expected to arrive in New York tomorrow on a fund-raising mission for the United Jewish Appeal and to meet privately with UJA leaders. Mr. Zeigler spoke to newsmen as President Nixon was meeting with King Hussein of Jordan, who arrived here yesterday. The meeting lasted 55 minutes and no communique was issued. The White House press secretary said that the President and King Hussein would discuss the principal elements of the Middle East situation and the chances for peace negotiations.
Mr. Zeigler said King Hussein was expected to explain his government’s policies and to convey the views of the governments of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, two countries he visited before coming to Washington. Mr. Zeigler said the discussion was expected to cover U.S. military and economic aid to Jordan. He said Mr. Nixon would repeat to the King the U.S. desire that the Jarring peace talks will “start soon.” The Nixon administration reportedly will try to persuade Gen. Dayan to get his government to agree swiftly to return to the stalled Jarring talks. The Israeli Defense Minister is also expected to discuss his country’s arms needs and reportedly will ask for more arms on a contractual basis. So far $500 million has been earmarked for Israel in the form of credit for the purchase of armaments in 1971. The Israelis reportedly feel the sum falls short of their needs. King Hussein was expected to try to persuade President Nixon to put pressure on Israel to return to the Jarring talks and to force Israel to withdraw from occupied Arab territories.
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