684A.85/3–550: Telegram
The Minister in Jordan (Drew) to the Secretary of State
priority
38. Legtel 36, March 3. Official communiqué issued 9 p. m. March 4 stated in substance Samir Pasha having failed form Cabinet had renounced task and King consequently called on Tawfiq Pasha to withdraw resignation. Cabinet had complied with King’s request and agreed continue in office.
In conversation with die-hard Palestine Cabinet member morning March 5, he told me Samir had been unable prevail on any member former Cabinet participate in new grouping with consequence that he had only been able obtain participation third rate individuals who had been unacceptable to His Majesty. He expressed admiration for courage of King in reaching decision defer Israeli negotiations which he has been directing personally for past several months. He recognized decision obviously very difficult one for King to make and while it will probably be widely interpreted as major political defeat for him my informant did not display gloating attitude.
He expressed view that trouble had basically arisen from King’s [Page 778] insistence on speedy conclusion of settlement, suggesting that if given more time study proposals Cabinet might have found formula it could support. He explained Cabinet opposition understood to have centered around Palestine members with support Prime Minister as unwillingness offend members Arab League, mentioning that their press and radio particularly Egypt and Syria had already begun violent attacks on Jordan. He also believes public opinion both sides Jordan opposed negotiations and fears it might have resulted in boycott in Arab Palestine of April elections. He criticized King for failure keep public opinion better informed, pointing out it had received more news from Israeli sources than from local press which he claimed entirely subservient to King.
Informant unable or unwilling predict when Israeli negotiations might be resumed, referred to them as indefinitely postponed. Presumably they will not in any case be resumed until after forthcoming elections.
One rumor reaching us which was hinted at by my informant was that Cabinet members had also been influenced by threats of personal violence if they approved Israeli settlement.
Comment: While too early evaluate this development definitively it is obviously major setback for King and victory for die-hard Palestine element both in and out of Cabinet. Comments of informant on public opinion received with reserve as we know Amman commercial circles were jubilant at prospective resumption trade with Israel. Although eventual resumption Israeli negotiations not precluded they will probably have been rendered much more difficult for His Majesty, although Israeli negotiators may be influenced accept terms more favorable to Jordan when negotiations resumed.
Sent Department 38. Department pass Tel Aviv 27, Jerusalem 16, Geneva 15, for USPCC 6, USTC 14, London 18, Cairo 5, Damascus 3, Baghdad 2, Beirut 4, Jidda 2.