Page:Ford, Kissinger, Jordanian King Hussein - August 16, 1974(Gerald Ford Library)(1552753).pdf/16

016- staging is our domestic situation. We are not going to have a comfortable time but we must avoid confrontation with pressure-groups. We need four weeks to get the President pressure-groups lined up so that we are not assailed from all directions.


 * We are sure you are familiar with these grups [sic] which represent business and labor and all the other various groups and interests in this country. Last week I began the process of rebuilding our relations with these groups. We began with labor. As we go on in the fight here against inflation, we cannot exclude labor. Something also has to be done with the governors, the mayors, and the county governments. This is the time for us to build cooperation. Thus far, the reaction has been very good and we will not forget our friends overseas in the process.


 * I thank you very much.


 * We will work out the staging in the context of the help which we require at home and abroad.


 * I hope His Majesty will not cut loose the West Bank. There is a deep interest in the area in the Palestinian question and it is a hard and difficult issue for us. cut loose, the Palestinians could turn on Jordan as well as on Israel. It is a very explosive question. Your Majesty showed great heroism in taking on the fedayeen in 1970. It would be in our judgment a great mistake to give the radicals on the East BAnk [sic] any great encouragement.


 * I am sure they respect your strong position.


 * It was really for me a question of lawlessness