350. Editorial Note
On April 10, King Hussein of Jordan, responding to leftist threats to his rule, dismissed Prime Minister Sulayman Nabulsi and moved to place his country more firmly in the Western camp, thereby precipitating a major crisis within Jordan. On April 13, the Syrian Government, which reputedly was involved in intrigues against the Hashemite Monarchy, moved armored forces into northern Jordan. That same day, Hussein dismissed Jordanian Chief of Staff General Ali Abu Nuwar who fled to Syria.
The Department of State on April 24 instructed Ambassador Warren to inform Turkish Prime Minister Menderes of United States concern that the Syrians might take advantage of the current crisis to intervene overtly in Jordan. (Telegram 2501 to Ankara; Department of State, Central Files, 782.54/4–2457) Following a request from King Hussein on May 20, the Syrian Government between May 23 and 27 withdrew its troops stationed in Jordan since the Suez Crisis. (Telegram 1637 from Amman, May 22; Ibid., 683.85/ 5–2257; telegram 1647 from Amman, May 23; Ibid., 683.85/5–2357; and telegram 2858 from Damascus, May 28; Ibid., 683.85/5–2857)
For information on the Jordanian crisis of April-May 1957, see Documents 26 ff.