48. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon1 2
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT-Evening Report
1. Mid-East Hijacking-I called in all Arab Chiefs-of-Mission in Washington this afternoon to make a humanitarian appeal concerning the safety of the passengers now being held by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in Jordan. I emphasized that we do not hold any of the Arab governments responsible for this inhumane act but expressed my hope that these governments might be able to convey to the hijackers our desire that they release these innocent air passengers unharmed and at once.
I also stressed that the U.S. Government does not in any way relate my humanitarian appeal to the implementation of our Mid-East peace initiative.
Speaking on behalf of the Arab Ambassadors, Kuwaiti Ambassador Ghoussein assured me that their respective governments share our concern and would do all in their power to convey our humanitarian appeal. He noted, however, that the PFLP is not beholden to any Arab government or to the more moderate Palestinians. Jordanian Ambassador Sharaf said that his government is doing everything in its power to obtain an early and safe release of the passengers.
[Omitted here is a paragraph unrelated to Global Issues]