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Hussein Due in Washington at End of Month: Israelis Say U.S. Knew in Advance King’s Intention to Ann

March 17, 1972
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The White House announced today that King Hussein will meet with President Nixon on a “private visit” in the near future. It was understood that the monarch will arrive here before the end of the month. There was speculation that Hussein is seeking the support of the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and France for his plan to establish a united Arab kingdom.

Charles Bray, State Department spokesman, said that the appointments and scheduling of Hussein’s visit have not yet been completed. He added, however, that Hussein will meet with Secretary of State William P. Rogers.

Bray declined to comment on Israeli Premier Golda Meir’s rejection of Hussein’s plan and declined to elaborate on his statement of yesterday in which he called for a “measured, thoughtful” response to Hussein’s “initiative” and noted that “this involves a most delicate relationship, which I won’t discuss.” Bray also stated yesterday that Hussein’s plan had not been discussed between Jordan and the US before Monday. (In Jerusalem, informed sources said the Nixon administration and the State Department had not given their approval to Hussein’s federation plan. The sources said the US had known well in advance of Hussein’s intention to announce the plan, but had warned the King that any such move at present might jeopardize plans for peace.)

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