‘nothing is Set’ on Nixon Visit to Mideast; Nixon-hussein Meeting Deals with Mideast Matters

White House Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler said today that “nothing is set” on a possible visit by President Nixon to the Middle East this spring or early summer. Replying to questions relating to reports that Nixon planned to visit Egypt and Israel in May or June, Ziegler said he could not confirm plans for such visits but noted that the President has stated publicly his interest in making such a trip.

Nixon met for over an hour today with King Hussein of Jordan. The meeting in the Oval Office was also attended by Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger and the Jordanian Premier Zaid Rafai who is accompanying the King. Ziegler said the discussions covered the “entire range of Middle East matters and developments” and were conducted “in the spirit of close consultation that characterizes the relations between the two countries.”

According to Ziegler, Nixon and Hussein discussed in detail the U.S. desire to help all parties to the Middle East conflict negotiate a peace settlement and that Nixon reiterated that the U.S. would press for disengagement accords, despite the continuing Arab embargo of oil. The President also discussed with Hussein the program of U.S. military assistance to Jordan which has been averaging about $40 million a year but there was no extensive consultation on that support today. Ziegler said. King Hussein reportedly wants U.S.-made Hawk ground-to-air missiles and increased assistance to modernize Jordanian forces.

Asked if the matter of a Palestinian state on the West Bank of the Jordan was discussed, Ziegler said “Our position has been the recognition of Palestinian interests being expressed in the final negotiations.” Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban, is scheduled to hold talks with top U.S. officials here later this week.