Young King Explains His Actions

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28266, 2 May 1957, Page 11

Young King Explains His Actions

AMMAN, April 30.

Jordan’s King Hussein said today that he dismissed the - Leftwing Government of Mr Suleiman Nabulsi earlier this month to halt the spread of Communism and to crush destructive elements. “These elements had started to be effective among my people,” he told some 50 foreign correspondents. “I am confident that conditions will become normal soon and that this country can enjoy prosperity and success,” he said, v At the press conference King Hussein was asked about a reported attempt on his life. He said that the results of a Court of Inquiry into the incidents would be announced soon.

The young King met the correspondents in a long hall of his hilltop Basman Palace. He sat at the head of a glass-topped table longer than a cricket pitch. After reading a statement, he answered a few written questions and others put to him verbally. He spoke with a low, confident voice.

He said: “There is no particular reason why Jordan has accepted American aid. v “I have previously stated "that

we are not interested in the Richards mission (to explain the Eisenhower doctrine).”

King Hussein also said there was no basis for yesterday’s Soviet Note complaining of United States inteference in Jordanian affairs.

Answering other questions; King Hussein said Jordan's attitude* to the Bagdad Pact—the Westernsponsored Middle East Defence Alliance —had not changed. [Jordan had declined to join the pact.] The Arab-Israel problem could not be settled unless something were done about the expulsion by brute force of more than 1,000,000 refugees.

It was premature to talk about elections in Jordan, but he thought things would return to normal once security objectives had been achieved. Asked about relations with Egypt and Syria, he said his country had taken a lead in all the difficulties encountered by the Arab world. “We believe we have taken the right action,” he said. “Whoever tries to attack Jordan or help create difficulties in this country will be the one to blame for the effect op relations among the Arab States.”