Statement on United States Arms Sales to Jordan
(September 27, 1985)
I have today notified the Congress of my intention
to provide the Kingdom of Jordan with the tools it needs to help defend
its people as King Hussein courageously pursues peace with Israel. The
provision of these defensive arms to Jordan is essential for two reasons:
first, it conveys in the near term a powerful message of U.S. political
support for King Hussein's efforts to bring about a comprehensive, lasting
peace settlement between Israel and the Arab world; and second, in the
longer term, it will meet Jordan's most pressing military deficiency;
namely, its ability to provide adequate air defense against an external
attack and military intimidation by the adversaries of peace. It will
not directly counter the cruel acts of the terrorists, whose bombs and
assassination attempts are even now trying to turn Hussein from his
quest for peace.
Nevertheless, as firm evidence of America's support,
this package will strengthen Jordan as a force for stability and moderation
in the Middle East. By giving Jordan's small armed forces the ability
to deter the threat of conventional attack, we provide King Hussein
the flexibility and confidence he needs to continue toward negotiations
with Israel.
For the past 15 years, Jordan has successfully denied
the use of its own territory to terrorists from abroad seeking to attack
Israeli targets across the Jordan River. More recently, King Hussein
has renewed diplomatic relations with Egypt, the first Arab state to
do so; he has enlisted the Palestinians in his peace initiative in order
to dissuade them from their earlier policies of confrontation and hostility
toward Israel; and he has publicly recognized Israel's right to exist
and stated his desire to commence peace talks this year.
I remain totally committed to helping Israel to ensure
its security, survival, and well-being and to maintaining its decisive
advantage over any combination of potential adversaries. The arms transfer
which I am proposing for Jordan does not jeopardize this policy. Indeed,
a strong, stable Jordan able to defend itself against radical pressures
is in Israel's interests, as well as our own. I am convinced that this
support by the United States is an absolute necessity if we are ultimately
to achieve the peace which we all so fervently desire.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |