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

867N.01/4–1349: Telegram

The Chargé in Transjordan (Stabler) to the Secretary of State

secret

Amman, April 13, 1949—4 p. m.

163. During conversation this morning King made following comments:

1. He trusted Israel would abide by armistice agreement and would not take any further aggressive action. He believed Israelis were trying to work with him to obtain peace but hoped US, as friend both parties, would use its influence to bring about just settlement. He regarded last paragraph President’s message March 28 (Deptel 38, March 28¹) as guarantee against breach armistice agreement by Israel. I pointed out US Government would be prepared make strong representation to either side attempting such breach.

2. Transjordan would send delegation to PCC meeting at Lausanne composed of Transjordians and Palestine Arabs with latter in majority. However, he believed that any meeting in which all Arab states took part would not result in progress toward peace. Peace settlement between Transjordan and Israel would be reached in direct talks held in this area. He said Transjordan would be willing commence such talks irrespective attitude other Arab states, for Transjordan which had entered war with others, now left alone in Palestine. He reiterated desire for outlet to sea and thought that with six outlets on Palestine coast Mediterranean Sea [Transjordan] should be given one.

3. As British had pressed him so much regarding relations between Transjordan and Egypt, he had agreed to Prime Minister undertaking talks with Egyptian Government. But he believed Farouk remained hostile and regarded latter’s message to Zaim regarding necessity for retaining Republic in Syria as directed toward Transjordan and himself. Egyptian forces in Bethlehem-Hebron still of [are] fomenting unrest that area and if they are [not?] withdrawn as promised upon return from Cairo of Prime Minister, they might have to be removed forcibly.

4. Situation in Samaria now quiet notwithstanding efforts junior Iraqi officers to excite disorders. Has appointed Lt. Colonel Mohammed Mayta (formerly Commander 6th Legion Regiment Old City) as Military Commander with orders take strong action to suppress further disorders, Transjordan has now assumed full responsibility for law and order that area and determined to maintain it.²

Pouched Arab capitals and London.

Stabler

1. See footnote 1, p. 878.
2. Charge Stabler, on April 15, advised that on the previous day Ahmad Khalil, appointed Governor of the Samaria District; Naim Touqan, appointed Governor of the Hebron District; and Ahmad Touqan, a prominent resident of Nablus, called on him at their request. “They indicated that while there was still bitterness and resentment over Transjordan–Israel armistice, it was on wane and that Palestine Arabs wished settle Palestine problems soonest. Only solution was settlement based on partition and on unification Arab Palestine and Transjordan. … They considered that acceptance partition principle at Lausanne might make settlement with Israel easier to achieve. … This group considered it was entirely possible that Transjordan and Israel could and would establish friendly relations and that at future date exchange diplomatic representatives would take place. … Khalil and others inquired whether US would support Arab acceptance of partition principle and would exert pressure on Israel to reach settlement on this basis. While making no specific comment I indicated that adoption reasonable and practical attitude on problem would make early settlement Palestine question more possible and stated policy of US Government on final territorial settlement.” (Telegram 165 from Amman, 867N.01/4–1549) Mr. Stabler’s message noted that all three of his visitors were Palestinian Arabs.