Travellers returning to Israel territory from Jordan report that King Hussein has decided once again to take a tough line toward the terrorist gangs using Jordanian territory as a base for incursions against Israel. According to some reports, Hussein is establishing loyal Bedouin units to fight the terrorists from within and has expelled the El Fatah commander. Abu Arm-Yassir Araffat, from Jordan. Reports attributed to well-informed circles said that the King intends to replace his pro-Egyptian Premier Bahjat al-Talhouni, who supports El Fatah activities.
The reasons for the get-tough policy, according to travellers, are the economic calamity and chaos brought on Jordan by the terrorist activities and Israeli reprisals. Jordan, they said, had been deprived of crops from its best developed agricultural region — the Jordan Valley facing Israel’s Beisan Valley — which is the main base for terrorist incursions. The Israeli Army is able to protect settlements on the Israel side of the demarcation line, but Jordanian farmers are not protected and have pulled out. The travellers said that there is considerable unrest in terrorist ranks because of the heavy toll taken by Israeli forces. Desertions are said to be on the increase and recruitment has almost ceased.
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