501.BB Palestine/9–2848: Telegram
Mr. Wells Stabler to the Acting Secretary of State
us urgent
66. Am grateful to Department for guidance contained its 15, September 27 and shall take early opportunity convey to King and Transjordan Government officials substance last sentence.
Before doing so, however, will Department wish consider also authorizing me assure King and Transjordan Government officials that same yardstick being applied in connection de jure recognition Israel? Recent statement by Secretary would appear indicate US Government is contemplating de jure recognition of Israel within next days. Such development could only have most disillusioning effect to King’s and Transjordan Government’s belief in USA sincerity and impartiality, particularly in light of US Government’s present attitude on formal recognition Transjordan as expressed in reftel.1
Department pass Jerusalem 49.
- In reply, on September 30, the Department informed Mr. Stabler that it “regrets unable at present authorize you give King and Transjordan Government officials assurance subject urtel 66.” It also left to his discretion whether he would tell those officials that acquiescence in Count Bernadotte’s conclusions and cooperation in implementing actions on Palestine by the United Nations would help determine the United States Government’s final attitude on recognition of Transjordan (telegram 17 to Amman, 501.BB Palestine/9–2848). Mr. Stabler informed the Prime Minister on October 2 and the King on October 3 that the United States was giving active consideration to formal recognition of Transjordan. Both expressed great satisfaction, the King expressing his hope that he would be able to visit the United States when the question was resolved. Mr. Stabler did not make use of the authorization given to him, as set forth in the second sentence in this footnote (telegram 72, October 3, 9 a. m., from Amman, 501.BB Palestine/10–348).↩