‘Arab States not prepared for war’

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32788, 13 December 1971, Page 17

‘Arab States not prepared for war’

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) NEW YORK, December 12.

King Hussein of Jordan has said that the Arab States are not prepared for a war with Israel—and Jordan especially is not ready to be dragged into such a conflict, according to an interview published in today’s “New York Times.”

“The Arab side as such is not prepared for war,” the “New York Times” quoted the King as saying. "It is not my right to drag anyone else into war and noone else is going to drag us tn. "We are not prepared to make one single move unless we are convinced of the reason and logic of the action." Marviene Howe, author of the “New York Times” article, described King Hussein as having “regained the smiling self-assurance he displayed before the assassination of his Premier and close friend, Wasfi Tell, less than a fortnight ago.” The interview took place at the Basman palace in Amman. The time was not given. Howe said that the King rbowed bitterness only once during the conversation, when he snapped, “We will hot shake the hands of those

who have spilled Wasfi’s blood.” He was answering a question about the prospects of reconciliation between" his Government and the Palestinian commando groups. Howe said that the King made no direct accusations, “but sources in his entourage believe Libya financed the assassination and that it was carried out with the silent consent of the Egyptians.” The article also said that the King made it clear that relations between Jordan and other Arab nations and the Palestinian liberation organisation would depend to a large extent on the outcome of the Cairo trial of the four Palestinians accused of Wasfi Tell’s murder. King Hussein expressed hope for a peaceful Middle East settlement and added: “We believe that force should only be used as a last resort,” the “New York Times” said.