"Time Is Running Out"

While in Washington last week, Jordan's King Hussein talked with TIME Correspondent Leo Janos. The major topics discussed and the King's comments:

>On his meeting with Nixon: "President Nixon appears to be determined to exert more pressure on the Israelis than was perhaps true of previous administrations. He wants peace in the Middle East that is just for all sides, and you cannot get it if you blindly support one nation over the others."

> On the prospects for peace: "Time is running out because frustrations are building, and so are dangerous incidents in the area. I believe we have our last chance now to realize a settlement. But we cannot dally. Perhaps we still have a few months or a bit more time than that--but not much more before it will be almost impossible to solve things peacefully."

> On direct negotiations with Israel: "I continue to be opposed to direct talks with the Israelis. I am indeed familiar with their argument thats the only way to achieve peace is to sit down with the Arabs at the conference table. But what is there to talk about? If they refuse to ac cept the conditions contained in the November 22nd [U.N.] resolution, what can be the basis of direct negotiations? No, I am afraid the Israelis are more interested in holding on to their occupied territories than they are in finding a solution. The Israeli demand for face-to-face talks seems to me to be a flimsy excuse not to confront the real opportunity for a solution."

> On the Arab commandos: "It is true that the fedayeen have said they will not accept the November 22nd resolution as a settlement. But I believe the overwhelming majority of my people will accept this resolution. In fact, the overwhelming majority in all Arab countries will accept it. The commandos exist because there is injustice to the Arab people. Eliminate the injustice and you will eliminate the need for the commandos."

>On the Big Four meetings: "The Big Four are making good progress. I do not believe they will be deadlocked. I welcome their help and concern in the effort to achieve a just settlement. The major powers have every right to be concerned about the Middle East, since they stand in danger of being drawn into its conflicts."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.