684A.85/3–650: Telegram
The Ambassador in Israel (McDonald) to the Secretary of State
priority
161. For personal attention of President and Secretary. Further re Embtel 158, March 6. For first time in many months I ask your personal consideration. If projected Israel-Jordan five-year nonaggression pact can be saved, US policy of peace and stability in ME will be immeasurably advanced. Abdullah sorely needs and fully deserves our moral and economic support as he struggles against intransigent forces which hope for Israel’s economic collapse demand indefinite continuance anti-Israel boycott. Personal message of sympathy and support from President to King might be decisive. Also friendly word of counsel in Cairo urging sympathetic understanding Abdullah’s stand would diminish greatly forces threatening King’s program conciliation. I think Dr. Bunche would agree that now is opportune moment save Arab extremists from themselves.