1.
GV EXTERIOR Rabat Hilton Hotel
0.05

2.
SV PAN President Amin arrives
0.17

3.
SV PAN King Faisal arrives (2 shots)
0.29

4.
LV and CU King Hussein arrives (2 shots)
0.40

5.
SV PAN President Sadat arrives
0.58

6.
SCU PAN Yaser Arafat arrives
1.09

7.
CU INTERIOR Insignia of conference
1.10

8.
GV ZOOM IN King Hassan speaks in Arabic
1.42

9.
SV Hassan SOF continues - delegates seated (2 shots)
1.50

10.
SV Hassan continues speaking
1.58



Initials OS/1954 OS/2002



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: At the formal opening of the Arab summit conference in Rabat on Saturday (26 October), King Hassan of Morocco called on King Hussein of Jordan and Mr. Yasser Arafat, leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (P.L.O.) to overcome their differences in the interests of Arab unity.

It was reported that King Hassan was later entrusted with the task of mediating between the two men to find a compromise.

The dispute arises from the Palestinian questions -- the responsibility for Palestinians living in Jordan, the recovery of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and Palestinian representation at any Middle East peace talks.

King Hussein was reported to have said that Jordan had a better chance of successfully negotiating with Israel than the Palestinian commandos, whom Israel regarded as "terrorists".

Mr. Arafat was reported to have said the commandos were not interested in working out a compromise with King Hussein. He said the only requirement was the recognition of Palestinian rights and the Arab countries had to choose between the commando groups and Jordan.