357.AC/7–1150: Telegram
The Ambassador in Israel (McDonald) to the Secretary of State
21. Shiloah with Kollek came to residence July 11 [and] reported following: Shiloah and Abdullah met alone night July 7 at Israel initiative. Shiloah told King meeting had been requested in order to clarify J–I relations. Israel anxious not embarrass King by attempts resume negotiations if he considers this undesirable. Israel willing wait three, six or nine months at King’s pleasure and would always be available if he gave word for resumption of negotiations. Shiloah then outlined to King situation in Arab countries contrasting Jordan’s stability with lack in other states. Shiloah expressed concern at prospective worsening Jordan’s economic situation if peace long postponed and reiterated Israel’s willingness make peace promptly and begin payment compensation Arab property Jerusalem.
[Page 951]King in reply said he was not willing postpone negotiations for any fixed period not even for three months. He was hard at work using his own means which he would not explain to Shiloah. “I have not” King said “received as much encouragement from certain quarters as I might have.” He left impression that latterly there had been somewhat more encouragement. He had “not lost hope.”
King then retired and Shiloah was joined by group of King’s intimates for “heavy meal with little salt” just before dawn which preceded day-long fasting period.
Shiloah added that though he is not optimistic about early resumption negotiations with Jordan he “dreads return of PCC to Jerusalem” because if PCC intervenes “all hope of progress with Jordan will end.”
Sent Department 21, repeated info Jerusalem 2, Department pass info Amman #1.