SITUATION IN JORDAN, 27 SEPTEMBER 1970

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-292-2-31-1
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: November 13, 2009
• Sequence Number: 31
• Publication Date: September 27, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/11/13: LOC-HAK-292-2-31-1
CONTAINS CODEWO D MATEk
9610RANDUM FOR- THE PItE$. .DENT
FROM: GENERAL HAIL
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SUBJECT: Situation in Jordan, 27 September 1970
Hostages: The Jordanian Government reported to our embassy in-
Amman this morning that the 32 hostages have been located in a
hospital and are in relatively good condition. An embassy
officer is on his way to the hospital.! A charter aircraft is
standing by in Beirut to evacuate these persons. There is no
information on the welfare or whereabouts of the remaining 6
hostages, apparently still in guerrilla custody. Earlier
intelligence had indicated that a small group of hostages of
"dual nationality" were being held separately, possibly at a location
in Northern Jordan.
Early yesterday, Radio Amman released the names of 32 American
hostages who were turned over to the Jordanian Army by the UAR
Embassy in Amman.
New Government: King Husayn yesterday named Ahmad Tuqan, a
Palestinian known in the past for being sympathetic to the
fedayeen, to head a new 13-man mixed civilian-military cabinet.
in calling upon Tuqan to form a new government, Husayn instructed
him to do everything possible to return life in the country to
normal and to heal the differences between Palestinians and
Jordanians. The cabinet retains five military men from the
previous all military government, six of them Palestinians.
Fighting: In Amman sporadic fire was reported by both sides
and a heavy government artillery barrage was reported from the
heights in the capital. Radio Amman has announced that the
around the clock curfew will be lifted for five hours daily.
Amman airport is secure, however, from time to time there may
be some sporodic firing near the airport, according to the
embassy. The airport itself is absolutely secure and firmly
controlled by the government. The road from the airport is
secure and patrolled by the government. Outside of Amman,
fighting continued yesterday, although it was sporadic and
and scattered. Irbid,and Ramtha are'still considered to be
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No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/11/13: LOC-HAK-292-2-31-1
 No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/11/13: LOC-HAK-292-2-31-1
COICAINS CODEWORD
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under Fedayeen control1 and no shelling and only occasional
fire has been reported.
Hussein to Cairo: King Hussein left for Cairo today to explain
his government's position to other Arab Kings and Chiefs of
State meeting in Cairo. Hussein talkes to Nasser yesterday
and according to an embassy source, Nasser was nost accomodating
and encouraging.
Relief for Jordan: It was announced to the press last night,
that the Department of State has been authorized to make
available 5 million dollars for emergency relief to Jordan.
According to the Embassy's assessment, the food situation is
critical in Amman. The Embassy believes that the Government
and Army are now in position to effectively receive and dis-
tribute relief supplies. Present Red Cross efforts are ap-
parently too slow and its local distribution facilities remain
weak. In view of pressing needs, the Embassy has requested,
and DOD has tentatively authorized, a direct airlift of PL-480
food stocks via USAF C-130 transports from Incirlik, Turkey.
Embassy Beirut is arranging a charter airlift of food to Amman
to begin today. Two U.S. mobile hospital units are also ready
to go. Three French aircraft were scheduled to deliver relief
supplies, including one portable hospital, to Amman and to
depart with additional evacuees. The Red Cross will initiate
four daily relief flights.
Late Hostage Reports: An embassy cable reports that the 32
hostages have departed Amman via aircraft for an unknown
destination. Embassy thinks it may be Beirut.
An embassy officer has been informed by authorative sources
that remaining six hosts es have been released and are in the
hands of Jordanian Arm .
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2009/11/13: LOC-HAK-292-2-31-1