Ten Years Ago

King Hussein of Jordan confessed to his countrymen, in a candid speech to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Six Day War, that he considers his decision to fight alongside other Arab nations was a costly mistake.

When war broke out on June 5, 1967, the Sandhurst-trained monarch rejected the offer from Levi Eshkol, the Israeli Prime Minister, that no action would be taken against Jordan if it stayed out of the conflict. Instead, the King told the United Nations mediator: "They started the battle. Well, they are receiving our reply by air."

In remarks published yesterday showing the honesty that has become the hallmark of his diplomacy, the King, 61, said: "In reality, it was probably our duty to try to prevent this country from being part of that battle."