World Notes Jordan

Following the collapse of his peace initiative last February, King Hussein has worked hard to ensure domestic stability. He curbed the activities of the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood and expelled leaders of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Last week Hussein cracked down on the Jordanian Communist Party. Twenty-three of its leaders were arrested for inciting antigovernment protests.

The unrest flared two weeks ago, as students at Yarmouk University, 42 miles north of Amman, staged strikes and sit-ins demanding lower fees and student rights. When Communists and Brotherhood activists joined the demonstrations, baton-wielding riot police moved in. At least three students were killed and hundreds wounded.