Press Briefing With King Hussein
(May 29, 1985)
The President. I have just concluded a very
useful meeting and lunch with King Hussein. We all recognize that the positive atmosphere which
has developed in the Middle East recently can be credited in great measure
to His Majesty King Hussein. Steps he's taken over the last year gave
new momentum to the search for peace.
Our discussions today have provided further evidence of Jordan's commitment
to a peaceful resolution of the Middle East conflicts, which should
prompt a sense of gratitude from men of good will everywhere.
The United States has long played a central role in the Middle East
peace process. We're proud of what we've helped accomplish, and we look
forward to continuing to make meaningful contributions. But we hope
that His Majesty's courageous steps forward can lead to direct negotiations
between the parties, based on United Nations Security Council Resolutions
242 and 338, by the end of this year. And we'll do our part to help
bring this about.
Our goal remains a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace which will
satisfy the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and provide
for the security of all states in the region, including Israel.
We recognize Jordan's economic and security needs. And in the spirit
of working together, I have told the King that we will be able to count
on the United States for assistance in addressing problems which Jordan
may face in those areas.
We're pleased and proud to have had His Majesty here with us today.
The King. Thank you very much, indeed, Mr. President,
for your kind words.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have had a full, friendly, and useful discussion
with the President on all issues of mutual concern.
Regarding the prospects of peace in our area, I have told the President
that a just, comprehensive, and durable peace in the Middle East should
secure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their
right of self-determination within the context of a Jordanian-Palestinian
confederation.
I have also assured the President that on the basis of the Jordan-PLO
accord of 11th February and as a result of my recent talks with the
PLO and in view of our genuine desire for peace, we are willing to negotiate,
within the context of an international conference, a peaceful settlement
on the basis of the pertinent United Nations resolutions, including
Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
We are offering a unique opportunity for peace which might not be with
us for long. I hope the United States, under the courageous and dedicated
leadership of President Reagan, will find a way to seize this opportunity
and respond positively to our peace efforts. The active and balanced
role of the United States is an essential element for the success of
the peace process.
I should like to thank the President for his hospitality and kind words
and wish him continued good health and every success.
Q. Your Majesty, a question, please.
The King. Go ahead.
Q. If you can hear me, sir, can you explain, please, why Jordan needs
an international conference in order to negotiate with Israel? Couldn't
it do it directly? Could you elaborate a little on what your thinking
is?
The King. In that regard, it is our hope that an international conference
would enable the parties to the conflict to negotiate the establishment
of a just and durable peace in the Middle East.
We need the international umbrella to offer us the opportunity to negotiate.
And when I speak of negotiations, I obviously mean negotiations amongst
the party to the conflict -- in other words, negotiations between the
Arab side, in this case a Jordanian-Palestinian delegation, with Israel
on the other side.
Q. Mr. President, would the United States participate?
The President. Would we what?
Q. What is your view of such an international conference?
The President. This is under discussion, and we have not resolved some
differences that we have in views on this. But we're going to certainly
continue in these discussions.
Q. Well, what are the objections, Mr. President -- --
Q. What are the problems that remain, the definitions of Palestinian
representation in the delegation? Have you agreed on the Palestinian
representation in the delegation, especially Jordan said PLO should
be represented?
The President. We have made it very plain heretofore, and nothing has
changed, with regard to those conditions under which we would meet with
the PLO.
Q. Your Majesty, if I may ask, whether it's an umbrella of an international
conference or not, you would be negotiating directly with Israel for
the first time, would you not?
The King. Well, I can cite an example of the international conference
of 1973. We met, and negotiations were carried out between the Arab
side and Israel.
Q. So, you're saying this is not new. This is not a different form
of direct negotiation?
The King. This is, I believe, a last chance for peace. We are approaching
it, as I've explained, determined to do all we could for the establishment
of a just and durable peace in our area. And obviously, when we speak
of negotiations, we speak of them within the context of an international
conference, but negotiations amongst the parties to the conflict.
Q. On a nonbelligerent basis?
The King. Well, we certainly are approaching the whole issue not in
a belligerent fashion. I'm almost sure of that.
Q. Your Majesty, has the PLO agreed to this framework, sir? Has the
PLO agreed to this framework?
The King. What I have said in my statement is the result of my discussions
with the PLO, yes.
Q. Your Majesty, are you committed to going forward with this this
year?
Q. Talks can take place this year?
The King. I am certainly hoping very, very much indeed that we will
see some progress this year, yes.
Q. Mr. President, have they come up with a Palestinian delegation acceptable
to you?
The President. This is all being worked on right now with us -- or
together. This is what we're discussing.
Q. Mr. President, the King has said that this opportunity will only
be with us for a short time. In view of the situation in Lebanon, is
there not something that the United States can do immediately to speed
this process?
The President. Who's he asking? Which one of us -- --
Q. Mr. President, the King has said that the opportunity for peace
may be a very short one. In view of the situation in Lebanon, is there
not something the United States can do to speed the process -- and do
something immediately?
The President. We think that the situation in Lebanon with regard to
the peace process will be resolved completely when Israel has made its
complete withdrawal from Lebanon.
Q. Mr. President, do you want -- --
Q. But what about the Soviets?
The President. Wait a minute, there's a young lady over here's been
trying for -- --
Q. Mr. President, do you feel the need to send a new envoy to the area
to be able to continue all these negotiations between the different
parties?
The President. Well, no. The people we have working there are going
to continue.
Q. What about the Soviets?
Q. Mr. President, do you want to involve the Soviets at this point,
at this preliminary point in this quest for a peace agreement? Do you
think that would help or hinder the process?
The President. Well, I'm not going to respond to that question because,
as I say, we're still discussing this whole matter, and I'm not going
to get into any great details -- things of that kind.
Q. Is that one of the problems, Mr. President? Is that one of the problems
-- Soviet participation?
The President. As I say, just generally, we're discussing and hopeful
at arriving at a solution.
Q. Your Majesty, does your proposal include Soviet participation?
The King. I've spoken of an international conference of the five permanent
members of the Security Council.
Q. So, the Soviets would be included?
The King. Well, that's what we're all working on, as the President
has said.
Q. Well, Your Majesty, when you talk about 242 as being a governing
principle, are the Palestinians agreed on that? Are you telling us --
--
The King. Yes, sir. I am saying that.
Q. -- -- that the Palestinians agree that 242 and 338 are the governing
resolutions?
The King. Every word I've made in my statement is a result of agreement
between us and the PLO.
Q. Arafat, the PLO.
The King. PLO, yes.
Q. Okay.
Q. Mr. President -- --
Q. Your Majesty, did you just -- --
The President. Wait, wait, wait. One second. Wait.
Q. Will you recognize the PLO if they accepted 242 and 338?
The President. Now, what?
Q. Would you recognize the PLO if they accepted 242 and 338?
The President. His Majesty has said that they've discussed this and,
yes, that this -- --
Q. I'm asking if you would recognize -- the United States would recognize
the PLO if they accept 242 and 338 explicitly?
The President. Well, as I've said, our terms have been made very plain
for quite some time as to what is necessary for us to negotiate with
the PLO, and they remain unchanged.
Q. Your Majesty, did you discuss the sale of Hawk missiles by the U.S.
to Jordan?
The King. I think we've said enough, sir.
Q. Why did you say it was the last chance?
Q. Mr. President -- --
Q. Did we get all the points you asked us to ask about?
The President. Well, because -- oh, I will answer then this word that
this was the last chance, and then this is the last we're going to take.
The last chance -- I think that the conditions have never been more
right than they are now to pursue this peace. And who knows whether
those conditions will ever come as close together again as they have
now. So, that's why I think the term ``last chance.'' And I think we
ought to keep that in mind that perhaps it is the last chance.
And now, we're not going to take any more questions.
And I feel a few drops of rain, and it doesn't bother His Majesty or
me, but we don't want any of you to get wet, so -- [laughter]
Sources: Public Papers of the President |