Political relations between Oman and Jordan

This file concerns relations between Oman and Jordan, and the conflict in Dhofar. It contains correspondence on:

• The deployment in Oman of a Jordanian parachute regiment, Hunter aircraft, and an engineering squadron; and reports of heavy casualties
• The orders of King Hussein Bin Talal of Jordan for the withdrawal of the Jordanian Special Forces by September; their replacement by Iranian forces, and the response of the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
• The concerns expressed by King Hussein to the Ambassador H G Balfour-Paul about the conduct of the war, about the need for a 'hearts and minds' approach, and about the slow pace of 'Omanisation' in the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF); the response to the King's concerns of the Foreign Secretary James Callaghan; and the response of the George Lambrakis of the US Embassy
• A request to the US from the Sultan of Oman Qaboos Bin Saeed Al Said for anti-infiltration equipment and ground radar
• A visit to Jordan by the Sultan with accompanying ministers and advisors
• A visit to Jordan by the Commander of the SAF General Kenneth Perkins
• Talks between the Jordanian prime minister Zaid Rifa’i and Balfour-Paul
• Visits to Oman and his Jordanian troops by King Hussein; and his talks with the Sultan
• A visit to the UK by King Hussein, and proposed talks with the Prime Minister Harold Wilson, the Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary Roy Mason
• The clearance needed from the Sultan for General Perkins to meet King Hussein
• King Hussein's wish for copies of the reports on Oman's development by Sir Gawain Bell and D R Gallwey
• A visit to Masirah by the Defence Secretary
• The visit to Oman and Jordan by Julian Amery MP
• The capture by the SAF, in Operation Himaqar, of an enemy headquarters near the Hornbeam Line

The file also refers to:

• King Hussein’s views on a potential Arab-Israeli settlement, and the Rabat summit of the Arab League; on the relationship between the President of Egypt Anwar Sadat and the President of Syria Hafez Al Assad; relations between Jordan and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation; and Jordanian internal and economic affairs
• King Hussein's proposed visits to France, Washington DC and the Soviet Union