Sinai pull-out end of Camp David — King

Press, 9 March 1982, Page 8

Sinai pull-out end of Camp David — King

NZPA-Reuter Washington King Hussein of Jordan said in an interview published yesterday that the Camp David Middle East peace process would be finished soon after Israel completed its withdrawal from the Sinai next month. King Hussein also told “U.S. News and World Report” magazine that he was interested in buying American Fl 6 and FSG jet fighters and air defence missiles. The American Defence Secretary (Mr Caspar Weinberger) discussed weapon sales with the King during his visit to Jordan last month. The talks drew strong protests from Israel. “I believe the end is in sight for Camp David with the Israeli withdrawal from Sinai,” King Hussein said.

“Israel now says that the occupied territories belong to Israel. The Arabs say the occupation must end and the people granted self-deter-mination. I cannot see how these two positions can be reconciled.”

King Hussein said he believed President Reagan wanted peace in the Middle East, but did not have a clear policy on the region. The King said Jordan needed modern weapons because its Air Force was falling behind those of other Middle East nations. He said Jordan bought mobile airdefence missiles from the Soviet Union because the United States would not sell it any.

“The Fl 6 is certainly an aircraft we are interested in: Maybe a . mix of Fl6s and

F5Gs is something we might discuss. I am not prepared to go through a humiliating process to get these arms. But I am willing to put forward a very strong case, and I hope that Americans at all levels will recognise their national interests are served by our being friends,” he said. The United States has said no decision has been made on weapons sales to Jordan becaue Jordan had not made a formal request for arms. Any sales would need congressional approval. ? The-American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a group which supports Israel? said in a statement that the sale of Fl6s to Jordan would threaten Israel and jeopardise American military security if the jets fell into Soviet hands.