AMONG FUEL TO THE MIDDLE EAST FIRES--RESUMTPION OF U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO JORDAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP70B00338R000300060022-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 4, 2017
• Document Release Date: July 15, 2005
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: February 16, 1968
• Content Type: OPEN

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February 16, 1968 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE
privileges. It is also clear in human society, The Washington Post points out in an Hussein needs the increment of independence
the Pontiff is careful to note, that all per- editorial this morning: they would provide. This is not a considera-
sons have a duty to respect the rights of There is no evidence that the purchase of tion to be dismissed. But it does not out-
others. We would do well to bear these stric- American rather than Soviet arms would weigh-the embarrassment of supplying arms
to countries which would
tures in mind today. We are a people who make Jordan a responsible, or more retpon- be likely to use
value our rights and liberties. We acknowl- sible, state, and there is the evidence of the them against each other, or the danger of
edge today, in partial atonement for the June war to indicate contrarily that sup- building up the level of arms in a region
errors of the past, our failure to accord these pliers cannot control the use to which the still so far from peace. The extent of that
rights to our minority groups. Yet, without embarrassment and the depth of that danger
recipients put their arms. are clearer than ever after yesterday's savage
diminishing our commitment to the mean-
ingful vindication of those rights, we must The resumption of open hostilities be- outbreaks on the Jordan-Israel' frontier.
see to it that they are realized consistently tween Jordan and Israel certainly bear [From the New York Times, Feb. 16, 19681
with the law and order that are the very out the truth of this assumption.
bulwark ofour society. On October 4, 1967, I said on the floor ISRAELIS USE JETS IN DAYLONG CLASH WITH .
And just as is true in the area of domestic of the Senate: JORDANIANS-TANKS AND ARTILLERY ARE
affairs, so in the relations of nations to one ALSO EMPLOYED IN BATTLE ACROSS RIVER-
another, the rule of law and order must pre- The time has come for the United States JERICHO SHELLED
vail. The Pope stresses the importance of a to view King Hussein realistically and not (By James FeI?on)
public authority with worldwide power and through illusory, rose-colored glasses. Fur- JERUSALEM, February 15.-A battle between
instituted by common consent. He expresses ther economic and military assistance to
the hope that the United Nations Organiza- Jordan should be stopped at once and Israel and Jordan involving jets, tanks and
tion "may become ever more equal to the should not be resumed until Jordan has artillery erupted today along the Jordan t-bank magnitude and nobility of its tasks, and that agreed to sit down at the peace table with toRiver. wn Israeli ohoi l sad beenthat th eed sty the
the day will come When every human being Israel. If King Hussein chooses to squander had she
will find therein an effective safeguard for his country's meager economic resources on Jordanians.
the rights which derive directly from his armed aggression rather than on its eco- r the nc dent wbegan eeks, with e many others
dignity as a person." - nomic development, he should not be sup- inn the l fire ac w tha river in thf
Within the compass of these few moments, ported in these rash endeavors by U.S. eco- light-weapon - a t f Valley, f re r the ea ri Galilee.
I have not been able to do- adequate justice nomic and military assistance. The Israelis said that the Jordaian had
Io the not bee in le Terris"
obe mical-indeed, How long will it take the United States started the shooting and that, unlike recent
I have not its ab vast le trr probe ort than the to realize that in attempting to prop up incidents, they had begun to bombard settle-
gradua of deasures. no on hier King Hussein of Jordan time and time ments on the Israeli side of the border.
n day, I can b of s [The Tel Aviv radio reported that firing
commmitmmitment for the me embe ers oP y youur r Clas Class again the United States. is relying on a stopped late Thursday night and a similar
of 1967 than to pledge yourselves to ful- weak reed indeed-a reed which is bent announcement was made in Amman by a
filling as best you can the great promise by every passing breeze. Jordanian spokesman, according to The As-
which this document holds for mankind. In resuming arms shipments to Jor- sociated Press.] -
You can do your part, humble and modest dan, the United States is inviting the re- Shells crashed into about 15 houses in Kfar
as it may seem, to make the Encyclical, not sumptiOn Of hOStilities in the Middle Ruppin and several buildings were hit in
idocument but a living realty, rememoers East. Further than that, the United Maoz Haiyim. By midafternoon the settle-
ng, as I trust you will, the immortal words States is giving further evidence of the ments of Gesher and Beit Yosef had come
of our beloved late President Kennedy that: under fire.
.. here on earth God's work must truly bankruptcy of U.S. foreign policies PLANES CALLED IN
be our own." throughout the world-policies which ISRAELI
he Israelis, who NE been returning the
Our President designated Memorial Day, g. are earning for the United States the en- T
ea In their air fbeee ae this point,
week ago yesterday, as a day of- prayer for mity and not the continued friendship of firand led within minutes the Israeli Jess were
permanent peace. He urged everyone to join more and more of the nations of the free
him in prayer to the Almighty for the safety striking at targets within a l0-mile band on
of bur Nation's sons and daughters around world. the east side of the river.
the world, for His blessing on those who have I ask unanimous consent that there be [Maj. Gen. Moshe Daynan, the Israeli De-
sacrificed their lives for this Nation in this printed in the RECORD at the conclusion fense Minister, canceled a visit to the United
and all other struggles, and for His aid in of my remarks the editorial from the States, which was due to have begun Friday.]
building a world where freedom and justice Washington Post for February 16, 1968, Witnesses said that Jordanian antiaircraft
prevail, and where all men live in friendship, entitled "Arms for Jordan" and the ac- fire was coming from within villages in the understanding and peace. I trust that every area and that the Israeli jets were hitting
count by James Feron of the fighting on these positions. They were pounding posi-
one of us will join in that prayer not only the Jordanian-Israel border as it ap- tions in the foothills of the plateau and on
for Memorial Day but for each and every day peared in the New York Times on the the plateau itself.
of the year.
In conclusion, I would like to say again salve date, By nightfall, when these Jordan River ex-
that I have great faith in the young people There being no objection, the editorial changes usually end, shells continued to fall
of today, and I am confident you will make - and article were ordered to be printed in on both sides. Soon the shelling extended
full use of the opportunities which lie before the RECORD, as follows: southward along the river, which forms the
you. It is the sitple truth that in this Nation ceasefire line on the eastern border of the
[From the Washington Post, Feb. 16, 1968] west-bank territory.
gq_ each su eratian has had greater ARMS Pon JoRDAN? The Israelis reported that by about 8 P.M.
opportunnities itiesthan than the one which preceded town of Jericho had come under Jor-
it. Surely your generation is on the threshold The stated reason for resuming arms ship- the danian artillery fire. It was the first time
of a great cycle of human advancement. The tents to Jordan-'that otherwise Moscow hat this historic town was involved in one
means are at hand for the loosening of the would gain the upper hand-is a bad reason t t river exchanges,
bonds of disease, hunger, ignorance, oppres- which does not justify the decision. The the
Israeli officials said that firing continued
sive toll, and war. In realizing these objec- American interest in Jordan is not that the at a aeavo pace at sevetl other goints alnd
tives, you will explore, not only the far United States have more influence than the at river. It was not known whether the ong jets
reaches of the space above us and. the core of Soviet Union but that Jordan pursue regional the their attacks after dark.
the earth beneath, but also the souls of men. peace. There is no evidence that the purchase Israeli thery tacksla declined discuss
I wish you every success as you pursue this of American rather than Soviet arms would the day's activities, presumably because
onsi-
or more res
ibl
p
e,
shooting was still going on long after night-
expiting and challenging quest. make Jordan a respons
1 - - bile, state, and there is the evidence of the shy
ING FUEL TO THE MIDDLE EAST cannot control the use to which the recipi- west bank and Jerusalem crossed the Allenby
FIRES-RESUMPTION OF U.S. ents put their arms. Bridge, near Jericho, without hindrance. One
MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO JOR- Jordan is weak but is it also in danger? of the last travelers to cross, at about 4 P.M.,
DAN Certainly not from Israel, which last June said it was an eerie and frightening expe-
took from Jordan all it could possibly want. rience.
this True King Hussein is in danger from/his fel- He said that both sides had pulled back
President
Mr
GRUENING
M
,
.
.
r.
morning's newspapers give added details low Arabs, particularly Iraq, which still keeps for about half a mile from the bridge, once
concerning the resumption of fighting on 15,000 troops in Jordan. But who will argue a thriving passageway, where-Israeli and Jor-
the Jordanian-Israeli border. that the United States ought to be sorting danian soldiers, officials an.d travelers min-
ou!t Arab quarrels, at the cost of increasing gled.
It is no mere coincidence that the tension and accelerating an arms race be- This time, the West-Bank and Jerusalem
resumption of the border fighting came tween the Arabs and Israel? - Arabs, who had crossed a few days earlier
shortly after the United States an- There may be one plausible reason for sell- with passes issued by the Israeli authorities,
nounced that it was lifting the ban on ing Jordan arms: that for his personal pride returned across a virtual no man's land be-
military assistance to Jordan. and his national bargaining position, King tween the Jordanian and Israeli officials,
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE February 16, 1968
both of whom were still polite and accom-
modating in their more protected positions.
PLANES HEARD OVER JERUSALEM
During the day, jets and light aircraft
could be heard occasionally over Jerusalem.
Todays air force strike followed warnings
issued by Israeli Government leaders for the
last few days in response to what they have
asserted to be mounting Jordanian provo-
cations.
It also seemed to underline the Israeli deci-
sion to forego the prewar type of retaliation
raid, which was usually launched after sev-
eral sabotage and terrorist incidents, or the
massive but delayed response such as the
shelling of the Egyptian refineries in Port
Suez a few days after the sinking of the de-
stroyer Elath.
Defense officials are understood to now
favor the immediate response, such as trail=
ing-artillery shell for artillery shell or the jet
strike in reply to what the Israelis said today
was the well prepared shelling of civilian
settlements.
THIRD USE OF AIR POWER
The air force strike was the third such use
of air power by the Israelis on the Jordanian
front since the end of the six-day war last
June.
It was similar to the encounter on Jan. 8,
when Israeli jets attacked Jordanian posi-
tions after the shelling of Kfar Ruppin and
Maoz Haiylm. The first air strike came in
November, after an Israeli jet had been shot
down by the Jordanians.
The Israelis said that they had not lost
any planes. One civilian and one soldier were
wounded in today's exchange, according to
the Israeli report.
[From the New York Times, Feb. 16, 19681
JORDAN SAYS FIGHTING RAGES
AMMAN, JORDAN, February 15.-Fighting
was raging tonight between Israel and Jor-
danian troops all along the cease-fire line be-
tween the two countries.
By late tonight, the shelling, with both
sides using artillery and tanks, had gone on
for about six hours.
A military spokesman said here tonight
that Israeli artillery was shelling a large area
of Jordan and concentrating on the villages
of Zamalia, Wakkau, Vakhraba and Es-Sam-
meh, in the northern Jordan Valley.
Earlier today, a spokesman said four Israeli
fighters had been hit by Jordanian anti-air-
craft fire. [Israel later denied this.]
Israeli aircraft swept over the border and
bombed Jordanian positions shortly after the
clash started with a tank and artillery bar-
rage on Jordanian advance posts in the Jor-
dan Valley, the spokesman said.
DAYAN CANCELS U.S. TRIP
Maj. Gen. Moshe Dayan, the Israeli Minis-
ter of Defense, who was scheduled to arrive
here today, has canceled his visit, according
to word received by the United Jewish Ap-
peal.
General Dayan was scheduled to havemade
several speeches for the fund-raising group.
It was believed that his decision to cancel
the trip was forced by the new fighting be-
tween his country and Jordan.
ARMS SHIPMENTS TO JORDAN
Mr. BREWSTER. Mr. President, the
State Department announcement that
the United States will resume arms ship-
ments to Jordan causes me grave con-
cern. This decision appears to be en-
tirely contrary to the establishment of a
permanent peace in the Middle East and
to the protection of the vital interest of
the United States.
Regrettably, the Arab - nations re-
fuse to recognize the existence of the
State of Israel. They openly admit that
their foreign policy is based upon a plan
to destroy Israel.
In this tragic and almost unbelievable
adventure they are armed and abetted
by the Soviet Union.
We are committed to the preservation
of Israel's integrity and independence
and her ability to exist among her Middle
East neighbors. But now it appears that
we are about to feed the hand that bites
her.
The answer of course is to end the
arms race, not to contribute to it.
Look at what happened yesterday. In
Washington, the announcement was
made that the United States has decided
to resume arms shipments to Jordan.
At the same time, Jordan and Israel were
engaged in the most serious outbreak of
fighting since the end of the war last
June.
The main purchase item that interests
Jordan is expected to be several squad-
rons of U.S. F-104 supersonic startight-
ers.
Just a few weeks ago, Israel Premier
Levi Eshkol was in the United States to
also seek supersonic fighters from this
country.
The United States has not publicly an-
nounced a decision on Israel's request
for assistance.
But it is known that Maj. Gen. Amer
Kammash, Chief of Staff of the Jor-
danian Army, was in the United States
for 3 weeks of secret preliminary nego-
tiations at the Pentagon.
We talk of peace but now are appar-
ently about to supply the tools of war
to an avowed aggressor. To me this policy
seems to be most inconsistent.
Bluntly stated, this is the situation:
First. The Arab nations were the ag-
gressors in the war last June.
Second. Since that war, the Soviet
Union has undertaken a massive resup-
plying of arms to the Arab States.
Third. Whatever. interpretation might
be placed on Jordan's position, there is
no doubt where Jordan stands. Jordan
was at war with Israel last June, and is
still at war with Israel.
From the developments of the past sev-
eral months, I believe the U.S. policy in
the Middle East should be based on these
fundamental points:
First. There should be no arms ship-
ments of any kind to Arab nations.
Rather, to preserve the balance of power
that Israel must have, the United States
should honor Israel's request for the jet
Middle East. It is a policy that is severely
shattered by the decision to resume arms
shipments to Jordan. That decision
should be rescinded.
Mr. President, the Washington Post,
in today's editions, contained an edi-
torial on this subject with which I fully
agree. I ask unanimous consent that this
editorial be inserted in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the editorial
was ordered to be printed in the RECORD,
as follows:
ARMS FOR JORDAN?
The stated reason for resuming arms ship-
ments to Jordan-that otherwise Moscow
would gain the upper hand-is a bad, reason
which does not justify the decision. The
American interest in Jordan is not that the
United States have more influence than the
Soviet Union but that Jordan pursue re-
gionalpeace. There is no evidence that the
purchase of American rather than Soviet
arms would make Jordan a responsible, or
more responsible, state, and there is the
evidence of the June war to indicate con-
trarily that suppliers cannot control the use
to which the recipients put their arms.
Jordan is weak but is it also in danger?
Certainly not from Israel, which last June
took from Jordan all it could possibly want.
True, King Hussein is in danger from his
fellow Arabs, particularly Iraq, which still
keeps 15,000 troops in Jordan. But who will
argue that the United States ought to be
sorting out Arab quarrels, at the cost of
increasing tension and accelerating an arms
race between the Arabs and Israel?
There may be one plausible reason for
selling Jordan arms: that for his personal
pride and his national bargaining position,
King Hussein needs'the increment of in-
dependence they would provide. This is not
a consideration to be dismissed. But it does
not outweigh the embarrassment of sup-
plying arms to countries which would be
likely to use them -against each other, or
the danger of building up the levelof arms
in a region still so far from peace. The ex-
tent of that embarrassment and the depth
of that danger are clearer than ever after
yesterday's savage outbreaks on the Jprdan-
Israel frontier.
AMERICA DOWN THE DRAIN?
Mr. FANNIN. Mr. President, a most
perceptive editorial appeared in the
Arizona Republic last Sunday. It cites
Nikolai Lenin's 1917 prophecy that
America would "spend herself out of ex-
istence."
Furthermore, the Republic's- editorial
writer points out that Lenin's predic-
tions about Germany and England! have
already come to pass.
Mr. President, I am convinced that it
fighters she needs to counter the Soviet- lies within the power of this body, the
supplied arms buildup in the Arab states. Senate of the United States, to see to it
Second. All efforts must continue that the prophecy of one of the founding
the United Nations for establishment of fathers of international communism does
not come true. permanent cease fire and peace in the . If the courage ib
Middle East. tegrity of the Americann pepeopple and can be
e
expressed correctly through their elected
Third. Both Israel and Arabs alike representatives in the Senate, I think
must share a joint responsibility for the the Republic may yet be rescued from
permanent resettlement of a generation the reckless course charted by this ad-
of refugees, ministration and go on to prove Lenin
Fourth. Agreement also must be wrong.
reached among the nations of the Middle So that Senators may have the benefit
East on policies and programs to assure of this perceptive editorial, I ask unani-
the adequacy of water supply and use of mous consent that it be printed in the
water resources in an area where the RECORD.
availability of water is a major factor. There being no objection, the editorial
This is the policy that will. best serve was ordered to be printed in the RECORD,
the United States and our goals in the - as follows:
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