The Reagan Administration appeared today to be moving away from its opposition to an international conference to negotiate a settlement of the Middle East conflict.
This stance was disclosed when President Reagan, in replying to questions from reporters after his two-hour meeting with King Hussein of Jordan, said that while the United States has differences with Hussein over a conference, this issue is being discussed with the Jordanians. The Administration has maintained up till now that a settlement can only come through direct negotiations between Israel and the Arabs.
Hussein, in his prepared remarks after his White House meeting, said that on the basis of the agreement he signed with Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasir Arafat on February II and on his recent talks with the PLO, Jordan and the Palestinians are ready to negotiate a peace settlement “within the context of an international conference” based on all the pertinent United Nations resolutions, “including Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.”
In response to questions, Hussein said that “we need an international umbrella to offer us an opportunity to negotiate.” He stressed that in this context, there would be direct negotiations between a Jordanian-Palestinian delegation and Israel.
A senior Administration official, briefing reporters later, said that the U.S. continues to believe that an international conference would still be a “setback” to the peace process since it would essentially be “political theater,” a stage for “rhetoric.”
But he added that “nothing is static.” He said the Administration understands Hussein’s “desire for international support for whatever agreement might emerge from a negotiating process.”
Israel has opposed an international conference, particularly one that includes the Soviet Union, as has the U.S. in the past. Reagan would not comment when asked about possible Soviet participation. But Hussein made clear that such an international conference, as called for in his agreement with Arafat, would include the five permanent members of the Security Council — the U.S., Soviet Union, France, Great Britain and the People’s Republic of China.
The King also seemed to stress that an international conference would mean that this would not be the first time he would negotiate with Israel. When asked about this, he pointed to the 1973 Geneva Conference without explanation. This conference dissolved without any results. But the senior Administration official today maintained that it led to the two Sinai agreements between Israel and Egypt and the agreement between Syria and Israel on the Golan Heights.
Hussein repeated his assertion that the PLO now accepts Resolutions 242 and 338 through its general backing of all UN resolutions in the Hussein-Arafat accord. Asked about this, Reagan said that the U.S. has not changed its position for dealing with the PLO.
The senior Administration official said the U.S. still wants a more explicit acceptance of the two Security Council resolutions from the PLO as well as acceptance of Israel’s right to exist and an end to terrorism.
MIGHT BE LAST CHANCE TO SEEK PEACE
Both Reagan and Hussein stressed that this might be the “last chance” to seek peace in the Middle East. Reagan explained that the conditions “have never been more right than they are now” and might not be so again.
He said Hussein has taken “courageous steps forward” which the U.S. hopes “can lead to direct negotiations based on United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 by the end of the year. And we’ll do our part to help bring this about.” Hussein, saying that this was a “unique opportunity for peace,” declared that an “active and balanced role of the United States is an essential element.”
Reagan said the U.S. goal is a “just, lasting and comprehensive peace which satisfies the legitimate right of the Palestinian people and provides for the security of all states in the region, including Israel.”
Hussein said a “just, comprehensive and desirable peace in the Middle East should secure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right of self-determination within the context of a Palestinian-Jordanian confederation.”
Reagan also stressed that the U.S. recognizes Jordan’s economic and security needs and will do what it can to help it. Hussein would not respond when asked if he had discussed arms with Reagan.
The willingness by Hussein and Reagan to answer questions from reporters after their statements is unusual. Usually after a visit by a foreign leader with the President, the two make statements and then the foreign leader departs the White House without answering any questions from the press.
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