Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

501.BB Palestine/1–1949: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Secretary of State

top secret

London, January 19, 1949—7 p. m.

237. Burrows today supplied following re continuation PGI Transjordan negotiations (Embassy’s 145, January 12).

1. Sassoon and Dayan on January 16 disguised as UN observers visited King Abdullah at his headquarters in Jordan Valley escorted by Abdullah Tel. PGI representatives took initiative re meeting which is not known to Transjordan Government.

2. Jews pressed for immediate settlement and Abdullah replied that he too anxious for settlement and wanted friendly relations with PGI. Abdullah said he was willing to extend cease-fire to whole front and to convert it into armistice. However, Transjordan must have exit to Mediterranean and he suggested this should be at Gaza. He re marked that if Egypt got Gaza this would mean control by Mufti.

3. Jews said they had no intention of discussing territorial adjustments with Egypt at present and would not do so without informing Transjordan beforehand.

4. Abdullah warned Jews that he would become permanent enemy PGI if Israel went Communist.

5. Jews spoke bitterly re British attitude toward Israel. To this Abdullah replied their blame UK undeserved since UK had helped PGI by withholding arms Arab Legion. UK is still withholding arms.¹

6. King and PGI representatives agreed to hold another meeting as soon as “military situation with Egypt cleared up”. Burrows commented that Foreign Office was “very interested” in this meeting but that it was not particularly pleased that Abdullah had elected to play off PGI against the Egyptians (Embassy’s 236, January 19).²

Holmes

1. Mr. Stabler, on January 24, reported information from King Abdullah about the meeting at Shuneh on January 16. The latter was said to have stated that he had received Messrs. Sassoon and Dayan “to discuss with them present developments re armistice and peace negotiations. Meeting lasted half hour. Stated he had emphasized to Israelis his desire for peace and his hope Israel would work with him in reaching lasting peace based on mutual interests. Indicated Transjordan must have outlet to sea at Gaza and that Egyptians must be obliged leave that territory. (Re this His Majesty said if he had Gaza it would not be necessary to have sovereignty over Jaffa; however, if not possible have Gaza, then Transjordan must have Jaffa.) King stated he had not gone into precise details re his terms for peace, already generally known by Israelis. He described meeting as satisfactory” (telegram 31 from Amman, 867N.01/1–2449).
2. Not printed, but see footnote 1, p. 679.