Office of the Historian

10. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan1

Washington, December 29, 1955—7:34 p.m.

295. Reur 305,2 306.3 At your discretion and after consultation with your British colleague you may wish see King and other HKJ officials as desirable and speak along following lines:

USG aware of and appreciates King’s sincere efforts strengthen and develop his country. We feel historic ties between HKJ and UK have been of benefit both sides and have been of cardinal value to Jordan in its efforts to establish and maintain its sovereign independence and integrity. We deplore recent efforts exploit Jordan public opinion to derogation of interests and security of Jordan. We have grave doubts as to motives behind new offers of assistance to Jordan and Jordan’s armed forces. Apart from motives, we would also question ability of those who make grandiose promises sustain Jordan economy to make good on their commitments on dependable basis.4

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 885.10/12–2755. Secret. Drafted by Bergus; cleared by George V. Allen; repeated to London, Cairo, Damascus, and Jidda.↩
  2. Not printed, but see footnote 2, supra.↩
  3. Supra.↩
  4. In telegram 320 from Amman, December 30, Mallory informed the Department, among other things, that the British Ambassador was aware of the gravity of the ESS offer and was unable to propose alternatives. Mallory concluded that he did not intend to see Hussein concerning the substance of telegram 295. (Department of State, Central Files, 885.10/12–3055)↩