Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Near East: Jordan-Yemen, Volume XIII

395. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan¹

Washington, September 10, 1957—10:29 p.m.

542. Deptel 537.² Following decisions re Syrian crisis have been reached at highest level USG. We desire you after reading reftel convey them orally to King Hussein immediately upon his return, emphasizing pressing need maintain absolute secrecy.

1. From previous consultations with King Hussein and Jordan Government US believes two countries hold similar views regarding grave danger to security of ME represented by current events in Syria.

2. Nations are confronted at periods in history with need to take decisions fundamentally affecting their own destinies. Jordan faced and successfully overcame such a test last April under the courageous and firm leadership of His Majesty. US believes that in such moments the necessary decisions can only be taken by nation concerned. Holding this belief, US does not consider it can assume responsibility of urging Jordan to follow any specific course of action or inaction with regard to the Syrian problem. US is making following views known in thought that King entitled have available all relevant information regarding US attitude in formulating his policy regarding Syrian situation.

3. US judges that Syria has become, or is about to become, base for military and subversive activities in Near East designed to destroy independence of those countries and subject them to Soviet Communist domination. If aggressive spirit being inculcated into Syria by means of Soviet arms and propaganda should manifest itself in actual aggressive deeds—and some such manifestations have already occurred in Lebanon—US would hold that case existed for individual or collective self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

4. Through the Joint Congressional Resolution on the Middle East the US has affirmed that it regards as vital to the US national interest and world peace the preservation of the independence and integrity of the nations of the Middle East. On September 7, in a statement concerned with the Syrian situation, the President, speaking through Secretary of State, affirmed his intention to carry out the national policy as expressed in the Joint Resolution, and to exercise as needed the authority thereby conferred on the President.

5. US strongly hopes that if there should be need to react to armed provocation by Syria, the initiative would be taken by an Arab state or states. US is conveying same view to Government of Iraq.

6. If any of Syria’s neighbors should become involved in hostilities with Syria, it is a precondition to any US support that it be made clear that such hostilities are not for purpose of impairing political independence or territory of Syria but are merely for purpose of restoring Syria to the Syrians.

7. In light of current developments US has already approached Government of Israel to request that it refrain from intervening in situation. US is prepared to continue endeavor to restrain Israel. Statement issued in name of President on April 24³ regarding importance to US of independence and integrity of Jordan as well as declaration made by US in May 1950 regarding its determination to take action either in or outside UN in event of any effort to alter armistice lines by force, remain fully valid.

8. US will continue to deploy Sixth Fleet in Eastern Mediterranean.⁴

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, S/S Files: Lot 66 D 123. Top Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Rockwell and Burdett; cleared with Dulles; and approved by Rountree who signed for Dulles. Repeated to Ankara, Baghdad, and Beirut.
2. Not printed. (Ibid.)
3. At a news conference in Augusta, Georgia, on April 24, Press Secretary Hagerty stated that he had been authorized to say that both the President and Secretary of State regarded the independence and integrity of Jordan as vital. The statement is not printed. For text, see Eisenhower Library, Kevin McCann Collection of Press and Radio Conferences and Press Releases, 1952–1961.
4. Mallory delivered the message to King Hussein on September 13. According to Mallory’s report, Hussein assured him that Jordan would respect Syrian independence, agreed that any action taken should be by Syria’s Arab neighbors, and to this end had sent proposals to Saud for a meeting. (Telegram 492 from Amman, September 13; Department of State, S/S Files: Lot 66 D 123)