Hussein Sees New Opportunities for Arab World Under the Reagan Administration in the U.S.

King Hussein of Jordan believes the change of Administration in Washington provides “a suitable opportunity” for the U.S. to adopt a new approach in its dealings with the Arab world and says he “would be delighted” to meet with President Reagan after he takes office, according to an interview with the Jordanian monarch published in the Beirut weekly An Nahar yesterday.

Hussein was asked if he believes the Camp David peace process has run its course with Reagan’s election. The periodical quoted him as replying, “I believe it is a suitable opportunity for the President and the new Administration to reconsider the affairs of the region and start a new page in its dealings with the Arab world.” He said he would agree to a federation with a Palestinian entity if the Palestinians accepted it. The future relationship between Jordan and the Palestinians depends on what the Palestinians wanted, he said.

Meanwhile, according to reports from Amman, there seems to be a general sentiment in some Arab circles that the Arab League should once again set forth its position on the Palestinian question before the Reagan Administration takes office and that an informal delegation of Arabs should meet with President-elect Reagan before he is inaugurated. There is a feeling among some “moderate” Arabs that such a meeting would serve to make a good impression on Reagan.