Office of the Historian

277. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1

Washington, October 11, 1968, 1610Z.

253744. Ref: Amman 6999 (Notal).2

1.
Appropriate Senior Embassy Officer should deliver following oral message from the President to King Hussein soonest: “Your Majesty, as you are aware, I have instructed the Secretary of State to open negotiations for the sale of Phantom jet aircraft to Israel. I trust that you will understand the circumstances that led me to take this action, which in no way diminishes our full and unequivocal support for Ambassador Jarring’s efforts to bring about a peaceful solution of the Arab-Israel crisis. Please be assured that it continues to be our policy to facilitate in every possible way Ambassador Jarring’s important mission. I have been gratified by your cooperation with Ambassador Jarring and remain hopeful that our joint search for peace in the Middle East will come to a successful conclusion.
2.
I would also like to assure you that our commitment to and support for your wise leadership, as affirmed in my messages to you of February 11 and June 4,3 remain undiminished. I highly value our close relations as being in the joint interests of our two countries. You can rest assured that my government desires to maintain-and strengthen-this relationship and that we are prepared to give full support to Your Majesty’s efforts to find an honorable and equitable solution to the problems that beset you. Please accept my most cordial regards.”
3.
In delivering this message you may wish to elaborate, drawing upon guidance contained in State 252286.4
4.
For Amman: Charge should inform Prime Minister of gist of message after London confirms delivery to King Hussein.
Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, DEF 12-5 ISR. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Seelye and Paganelli (NEA/ARN); cleared by Davies, Atherton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs David H. Popper, Symmes, Parker T. Hart, and Walt Rostow; and approved by Katzenbach. Repeated to Amman and USUN.↩
  2. In telegram 6999 from Amman, October 10, the Embassy suggested providing as much information as possible to the Jordanian Government concerning the possible sale of Phantom aircraft to Israel in order to prevent a rash Jordanian response. (Ibid.)↩
  3. See Documents 77 and 188.↩
  4. Document 275.↩