386. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Iraq1
523. For Ambassador from Secretary. Please deliver orally following message from me to the Crown Prince. “Mr. Henderson has given me an account of the conversations which took place in Istanbul during his recent visit there and in which His Majesty and you participated. We fully share the concern which His Majesty and you and the various Iraqi representatives present expressed with regard to recent developments in Syria. Since we regard this matter as of the utmost importance, we are giving it careful and urgent study. Within the next few days we may send one or more Air Force or Army officers to Baghdad to discuss with you and with appropriate Iraqi leaders some of the problems involved and to assess Iraq’s most pressing needs and means for meeting them. It seems to me that if any action is to be effective it should be taken without delay since the problem is likely to become more difficult day by day.
I wish to thank you and would be grateful if you would convey my thanks to His Majesty for the courtesies which were extended to Mr. Henderson while he was in Istanbul and for the frankness with which His Majesty and you exchanged views with him and Ambassador Gallman. If any further ideas have occurred to you as to what might most effectively be done, I hope that you will pass them to me urgently through Ambassador Gallman. It seems to me that it is most important that there be close cooperation between Iraq and Jordan in the face of this mortal danger. If there is anything which we might do to promote such cooperation please do not hesitate to let me know.” You might take occasion to ask the Prime Minister whether or not Nuri Said is returning to Baghdad and if so how soon.
- Source: Department of State, S/S Files: Lot 66 D 123. Secret; Limit Distribution.↩