Conscription In Jordan

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31226, 25 November 1966, Page 13

Conscription In Jordan

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

AMMAN, Nov. 24.

Jordan last night accepted a Saudi Arabian offer of military assistance and approved widespread conscription as antiIsraeli feeling continued to rise.

King Feisal of Saudi Arabia offered to place 20,000 of his country’s troops “at Jordan’s disposal to repel Israeli attacks.”

Accepting the offer. King Hussein of Jordan said he welcomed support against the

“sinful Israeli attack and future possibilities.” Jordan’s Cabinet approved a bill for military conscription affecting all Jordanians aged 18 to 40.

The Prime Minister, Mr Wasfi Tell, said the bill provided some exemptions, including groups involved in national production. He said the bill was aimed at “strengthening local defence in front-line areas.” Jordanian leaders were becoming increasingly bitter towards Egypt, United Press International reported. Egypt and Syria had apparently snubbed Jordanian appeals for help and there had been an anti-Hussein cam-

paign in some Arab propaganda organs. Sources said Jordan wanted the United States to speed delivery of three squadrons of J.J.O. fighters. Ten fighters were also expected from a “brother” state —unnamed but reported to be Pakistan.

Moves against Israel in the United Nations continued. African members of the Security Council were reported to be preparing a resolution condemning Israel’s raid. But they were excluding the use of economic sanctions sought by Jordan and informed sources said the resolution would be unacceptable to both the pro-Arab Soviet Union and the West.

The Jordanian delegate. Muhammad El-Farra, tonight criticised the Security Council for failing to act promptly against Israel. The council has been debating Jordan’s charge of aggression since it was first laid on November 14.

Steinbeck To Vietnam.— The Long Island newspaper, “Newsday,” is sending the novelist, John Steinbeck, to Vietnam and other countries in South-east Asia as a columnist.