A State Department spokesman refused today to comment on reports that the United States and Britain have approved the idea of Iraqi troops moving into Jordan. The spokesman refused to say whether the United States had discussed this matter.
The New York Times reported today that the United States and Britain, “concerned about the possibility of governmental collapse and chaos in Jordan,” would agree to the moving of Iraqi troops into the country. The paper said the understanding of Washington and London was that if such troop movement was arranged, “Iraqi armed forces would not go near the borders of Israel.”
The dispatch pointed out that Iraq had never signed an armistice with Israel. It asserted that Britain and the United States have made an effort to reassure Israel, contending that disorder in Jordan would be a worse threat to Israel than a small contingent of Iraqi troops.
According to reports here, U.S. officials expect Iraq to send three brigades into Jordan, a total of about 9,000 men.
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