Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, The Near East and Africa, Volume V

684A.85/5–451: Telegram

The Chargé in Jordan (Fritzlan) to the Department of State ¹

secret

Amman, May 4, 1951—11 a. m.

191. Kirkbride today showed me text PriMin Samir Rifai’s reply to recent Israeli communication on implementation Jordan-Israeli armistice agreement (see Tel Aviv tel 667 April 20 to Dept).²

Samir’s reply made in last two days and in essence states:

(1) Jordan agrees with Israel that first step must be implementation armistice agrmt and then consideration might appropriately be given other matters.

(2) Jordan considers Arts 6 and 8 thus far unimplemented and steps shld be taken rectify this state of affairs.

(3) There appears to be basic difference of interpretation between Jordan and Israel on meaning these articles and especially meaning of Art 8 as regards Mt Scopus institutions.

(4) In view of fact that interpretation of agrmt is legal matter Jordan believes difference shld be submitted to an internatl tribunal for clarification.

(5) Jordan proposes matter be submitted by both parties to Internatl Court of Justice and hopes, Israel will agree this procedure.

Samir’s reply was dispatched after mtg between King Abdullah and Shiloah described in Tel Aviv tel”696 May 2.³ I understand King sought dissuade Samir from sending reply at this juncture stating that Israelis had promised pay Jordan “A lot of money” (presumably he referred to release certain blocked balances). Samir took stand that thus far Israeli concessions had been limited to offer evacuate Naharayim and release some blocked accounts. These were both due Jordan as matter of right and justice and must not be considered Israeli favors.

Kirkbride tells me at recent mtg between King and Shiloah it was latter, not Abdullah, who deplored raising sovereignty issue. He thinks this may indicate Israelis not very sure of legal basis for their contention.⁴

Fritzlan

1. Repeated for information to Jerusalem, London, and Tel Aviv.
2. Ante, p. 647.
3. Ante, p. 656.
4. In telegram 196 from Amman, May 14, the Legation reported in part that it learned that the proposal to have the two sides withdraw previous correspondence was discussed without result at a meeting held May 11 between the King, Prime Minister Rifai, and Mr. Shiloah. (684A.85/5–1451)