Briefing for accompanying reports about Japanese Prime Minister Kaifu's meeting with Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan during Kaifu's visit to the Middle East following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
October 5, 1990
Cable No. 987 from Ambassador Sengoku Takashi (Turkey) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to the Middle East (Meeting With King Hussein of Jordan)'
This document was made possible with support from The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Secret
Telegraphic Copy [blacked out]
Number R200189 | Primary: First Middle East Division |
October 5, 1990 [time blacked out] | Sent [from] Turkey |
October 5, 1990 [time blacked out] | Arrived [at] Ministry |
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[to] Minister of Foreign Affairs | [from] Ambassador Sengoku Takashi |
The Prime Minister’s Visit to the Middle East (Meeting With King Hussein of Jordan)
No. 987 Secret Top Urgent [blacked out]
⟁⟁⦾A Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait⦾230, 220⦾C310⟁⟁
On October 4, the meeting of the Prime Minister and King Hussein of Jordan took place for approximately an hour from 11:40. Following is a summary of its main points. (Present on our side were Owada Hisashi, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs; Nonoyama Tadayuki, Ambassador to Jordan; Watanabe Makoto, Director of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau; and Kowata Shoshichi, Director of the Economic Cooperation Bureau. Present from the other side were Crown Prince Hassan; Prime Minister Mudar Badran; Zayd bin Shakir, Chief of the Royal Court; Adnan Abu Odeh, political advisor to the King; Minister of Finance; Minister of Commerce and Industry; Minister of Information; and others. Interpreter: Tsuruoka Koji)
1. [no subhead]
(1) King Hussein said the following:
I would like to thank you for visiting Jordan. Jordan is now in need of friends. I would like to express my appreciation for the present support from Japan. Japan and Jordan have long had friendly relations. I (Hussein) am particularly grateful for the friendship with Japan’s Imperial family. Japan and Jordan have a common wish for stability in the region of the Middle East and in the world. Again, I welcome you on your visit here at this time of difficulty.
(2) In reply, the Prime Minister said the following:
I was entrusted by His Majesty the Emperor before leaving Japan with conveying to you, King Hussein, his regards. Since yesterday, I have had with Crown Prince Hassan and Prime Minister Badran fruitful meetings in which we discussed the substance of Japanese aid. I thank the King for expressing once again his gratitude. I am aware that Jordan is facing great economic difficulties due to the implementation of the economic sanctions and is bearing a great burden in accepting the refugees. I would like to continue cooperation as much as possible. I express my respect for your ceaseless efforts since August 2 for a peaceful settlement of the Gulf crisis. I would like to hear your view on future prospects.
2. In reply, King Hussein said the following:
In July, aware that that a problem had arisen between Iraq and Kuwait and considering the situation to be an alarming one, I visited both countries. Aware of the anger and disappointment on both sides, I appealed to Kuwait to avoid a crisis and managed to arrange the Jeddah Conference. However, the situation of August 2 took place. I (Hussein) had completely not foreseen either its time or scale. Immediately after August 2, I (Hussein) obtained from Iraq a commitment to withdraw from Kuwait and attend a mini summit. I was thinking that there was a possibility of a settlement by Arabs, but that opportunity was lost. If we let the situation take its own course, it could result not only in the recovery of Kuwait but in the destruction of Iraq itself. In that event, taking into consideration the oil and the weapons of mass destruction, the effects of a war are unfathomable. Therefore, I am working to prevent such an explosive situation.
There are several sources to the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait. They are either the historical legacies of rule by outside powers or issues of life or death for Iraq’s economy. The first issue is that Iraq has no outlet to the sea. The second is that there is a conflict between the two countries over oil. The third one is that there is a struggle within OPEC over the price of oil. And the fourth is the gap between countries in the region that have and those that have not.
Jordan’s principles regarding this situation are: (1) Jordan does not recognize the annexation of territory by force. (2) This issue should be settled among the Arabs by persuasion, that is to say, not by force and not by relying on outside powers. (3)
Jordan continues to recognize the legitimate government of Kuwait but would recognize a completely free decision of the Kuwaiti people if there were one. (4) Settlement by negotiation is necessary. In this regard, the international community has continued to say that the Palestinian issue should be settled through negotiations with Israel. (5) This means sincerely observing all United Nations resolutions. In the United Nations, the role of the Arabs in the settling of this issue is not recognized. On the other hand, a settlement will be impossible if we do not come to grips with the sources themselves of the present situation and, for that, compromise will be necessary.
3. In reply to the above, the Prime Minister again explained Japan’s fundamental position, centered on a just and peaceful settlement of this matter in line with Security Council resolutions, the observance of economic sanctions, and, for that reason, aid to front-line countries.
4. In reply, King Hussein said the following:
(1) Iraq’s feeling that its economy is strangled and that diplomatic efforts have not succeeded should be understood. Also, there is clearly no intention on the part of Iraq to invade Saudi Arabia. Iraq probably thought that if it occupied only the disputed border area, then outside forces would invade Kuwait and push it back. Iraq invaded Kuwait because it could not settle its own life-or-death problems if it did not. Other Arab countries, surprised by this, sought to bring in outside powers.
(2) I (Hussein) am completely in agreement that the principles of the United Nations resolutions should be observed. However, a settlement at the same time of the sources of the region’s problems is also necessary. Therefore, I have been working to create a block of countries with different positions among the Arabs and explore the possibility of a settlement via talks.
(3) Regarding the Palestinian issue, it should not be linked with the present situation, but we need to come to grips with it once the present situation is settled. In addition, we need to shrink the gap between those in this region who have and those who have not.
(4) Regarding the so-called human rights issue, I have done my utmost. However, Iraq firmly believes that the hostages are preventing the outbreak of war. I intend to continue working on this issue.
(5) Japan and Jordan are both calling for a peaceful settlement. War would affect the peoples of all the countries and would destabilize this region. In addition, Saudi Arabia, which should be the guardian of the Holy Land, has hurt the feelings of the Arabs by its introduction of foreign troops. I would like to continue working consistently for tomorrow and the future.
5. In reply to the above, the Prime Minister said the following:
It is true that Japan and Jordan are both calling for a peaceful settlement. Japan’s position is that, as an issue of the principle of international social order, first Iraq must withdraw from Kuwait and the legitimate government of Kuwait must be restored. Only after that will it be possible to settle conflict between Iraq and Kuwait and to settle the Palestinian issue. For that reason, Japan supports it.
6. The King said the following: The effects of using military force to destroy Iraq will be unpredictable and will likely produce an imbalance of power in the region and give rise to a power vacuum. I think that Japan and Jordan share the same objectives and the same principles. However, it is necessary to open the door to coming to grips with the sources of the present situation. This is particularly necessary for the Arabs in the region. With that, he ended the meeting.
Passed to diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Iraq, the United States, and Jordan. (End)
Summary of Japanese Prime Minister Kaifu's meeting with Jordanian King Hussein. The two discuss Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and the difficult position it put Jordan in, as well as each country's official stance on the conflict and other issues in the region.
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