Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume IX, Arab-Israeli Dispute, August 1978–December 1980, Second, Revised Edition

321. Presidential Determination No. 80–9¹

Washington, December 20, 1979

SUBJECT

• Determination under Section 25 of the International Security Assistance Act of 1979—Assistance for Jordan.

Pursuant to the authority vested in me by section 25 of the International Security Assistance Act of 1979, I hereby determine that Jordan is acting in good faith to achieve further progress toward a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East, and that the expenditure of funds appropriated or otherwise available to carry out chapters 2 and 5 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and the Arms Export Control Act, for Jordan in the fiscal year 1980 will serve the process of peace in the Middle East.

You are requested to report this determination to the Congress on my behalf, as required by law.

This determination shall be published in the Federal Register.

Jimmy Carter

Attachment

Statement of Reasons for Determination²

Washington, undated

Statement of Reasons for Determination Under the International Security Assistance Act of 1979 (Public Law 96–92) Relating to Security Assistance for Jordan

Section 25 of the International Security Assistance Act of 1979 (Public Law 96–92) prohibits the use of funds authorized to be appropriated in the fiscal year 1980 for military assistance and international military education and training under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and for foreign military sales financing under the Arms Export Control Act for Jordan, unless the President determines and reports to the Congress that “Jordan is acting in good faith to achieve further progress toward a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East and that the expenditure of such funds will serve the process of peace in the Middle East.”

During the early period of this administration, Jordan cooperated in our efforts to reconvene the Geneva Middle East peace conference.³ Jordan continues to contribute to area stability by effective action against terrorists’ attempts to attack Israel from Jordan. Jordan has not accepted the Camp David Accords. It differs with us on the likelihood that these Accords can lead to a broadly acceptable final settlement. This is a deep, but essentially tactical difference and has not changed Jordan’s adherence to the fundamental goal of peace in accordance with UN Resolution 242.

The most recent, public and authoritative statement of Jordan’s policy was given by King Hussein in his speech to the United Nations on September 25, 1979. He said that Jordan “would continue to stand for a just, honorable, viable and durable peace.” This accords with private assurances received from King Hussein and is accepted as an accurate characterization of Jordan’s policy. Jordan’s cooperation remains essential to a stable West Bank settlement. Our military assistance relationship is a vital element in this cooperation and in Jordan’s ability to follow a political course independent of pressure. It is important that we continue to work with Jordan, as a friendly Arab state, in the search for a just and comprehensive final peace.

Therefore, I have determined that Jordan is acting in good faith to achieve further progress toward a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East and that the expenditure of funds for security assistance to Jordan in FY 1980 will serve the purpose of peace in the Middle East.

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 50, Presidential Determinations: 8/79–5/80. No classification marking. In an attached December 20 memorandum to Carter, forwarding the Presidential Determination for signature, Brzezinski pointed out that without Carter’s official determination “virtually all military assistance” to Jordan “halts immediately.” Brzezinski continued, “Despite our differences over Camp David and the King’s ill-advised intemporance earlier this year, the fundamental relationship is very important to U.S. interests,” citing Jordanian cooperation on Iran and Yemen and the possibility of cooperation in contingency planning for Saudi Arabia. A termination of military assistance, Brzezinski argued, would “irreparably damage” the security relationship with Jordan and “terminate any chance of a positive Jordanian role in the Camp David process over the coming year. It would tend to reverse Jordan’s present efforts to repair the damage done to our ties and would drive them toward the rejectionists and Moscow.” In a handwritten note at the bottom of the memorandum, Carter wrote: “It is a very close call, & difficult for me—but ok this time. J.” (Ibid.)
2. No classification marking.
3. See footnote 5, Document 24.