‘PREPARE FOR WAR’ Hussein Order To New Govt
(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) AMMAN, June 28. King Hussein last night approved a new 17>man national coalition Cabinet heavily weighted in favour of Arab guerrillas and ordered the Prime Min-ister-designate, Mr Abdel Moneim al-Rifai to prepare for war with Israel.
Mr Al-Rifai formed the Government yesterday after the former Prime Minister, Mr Bahjat Talhouni, resigned. He was deputy Prime Minister in the Talhouni Government. In a four-point directive, King Hussein told Mr Al-Rifai to: Prepare the country economically, politically and financially for war with Israel.
Secure weapons for the Jordan Army from any source. Achieve full co-ordination of the Army and the guerrillas so that they can fight the battle side by side. Abide by joint Arab resolutions and Arab solidarity. King Hussein approved Mr Al-Rifai’s naming of leading
Palestinian and Left-wing activists to the 17-man Administration to take over from that of Mr Talhouni, which resigned in the wake of bloody guerrilla-army fighting earlier this month. Political sources said that a new Cabinet became inevitable after the fighting, if only to indicate an air of new thinking in Jordan. In fact, the existing Cabinet was largely sympathetic to the guerrillas. The new Cabinet is hardline pro-guerrilla, the sources say.
The leading pro-guerrilla nominees included Mr Akef Al-Fayes, named Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office.
Mr Al-Fayes is a bedouin, a member of the tribe which traditionally pledges its support to the Hashemite monarch. but he is well known for his commando support. He was removed from the Interior Ministry recently and his return is a sign of the commando strength, according to the political sources. Other outstanding Palestinian or guerrilla supporters include Sheikh Abdel Hamid AlSayeh, named Minister of Religious Affairs, who was himself denounced in Amman mosques recently for his proCommunist Chinese sentiments.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CX, Issue 32335, 29 June 1970, Page 11
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304‘PREPARE FOR WAR’ Hussein Order To New Govt Press, Volume CX, Issue 32335, 29 June 1970, Page 11
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