784.00/1–950: Airgram

The Chargé in Jordan ( Fritzlan ) to the Secretary of State

secret

A–15. Reference Department’s telegram 216, December 30, 1949.1 The Legation is informed by a reliable Palace source that upon receipt of the text of the President’s message, King Abdullah presented it to the Prime Minister,2 expressing much pleasure that the President should encourage him and other Arab States to settle the Palestine affair at an early date.

The Prime Minister has been extremely doubtful regarding the feasibility of entering into direct negotiations with the Israelis at the present time and has expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of achieving a suitable agreement. Undoubtedly the King, who has openly expressed his desire to come to an agreement soon with the Israelis, felt his position considerably strengthened vis-à-vis his Government as a result of the President’s message.

Fritzlan
  1. Not printed; it gave the text of the message from President Truman to King Abdullah; see Foreign Relations, 1949, vol. vi, p. 1564.
  2. Tewfiq Abd el-Huda. Tewfiq is also rendered as Tawfiq.