Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 2

867N.01/11–2048: Telegram

Mr. Wells Stabler to the Acting Secretary of State

secret

Amman, November 20, 1948—4 p. m.

124. Recent reports indicate that Abdel Ghani Bey Karmi¹ (mytel 114, November 11²) has held talks with Israelis in Paris and has discussed possible terms of settlement including disposition of Negev, Abdullah’s attitude regarding Jaffa and other points. Prime Minister, on learning such conversations proceeding, objected to King on basis he unable countenance any form “negotiation”. King has agreed and telegram has allegedly been sent to Abdel Majid Haidar instructing him to restrain Karmi.

Also understood that Prime Minister has received another telegram from Sassoon. Efforts being made confirm this and ascertain subject.³

Department pass to Gadel 19.

Stabler

1. Private Secretary to King Abdullah.
2. Not printed.
3. Amman, on November 21, reported that Mr. Sassoon’s second telegram to the Transjordanian Prime Minister, friendly in tone, dealt with the protection of the Rutenberg Works by the Arab Legion during the flood period of the Yarmuk River (telegram 125, 867N.01/11–2148). The Prime Minister replied that the area of the Rutenberg Works was the responsibility of the Iraqi Army and that the Transjordanian authorities could not offer much assistance (telegram 127, November 23, 3 p. m., from Amman, 867N.01/11–2348). The latter message also stated that the Prime Minister had received a fourth message from Mr. Sassoon on November 22 “stating that Israeli authorities had heard that Arab Legion was planning mount offensive in Jerusalem and expressing hope that such report not true. Prime Minister has replied that Arab Legion has no [such] intentions and referred to previous message re Mount Scopus in which he indicated desire to cease fire in all Jerusalem.”