108. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France1
1503. Deliver Nolting 9:00 a.m. November 16. Current violent Egyptian radio and press attacks on King Hussein and Jordan Government are matter of concern to us and presumably other NATO members who may possibly raise subject NAC or other NATO forum. In this event you authorized present following information after coordination with your UK colleague.
Cairo, Damascus and Moscow radios and press engaging in campaign violent abuse and incitement to revolt against King Hussein [Page 162] and Government of Jordan. Cairo openly calling for assassination King. Principal accusation is Hussein conspiring with Israelis to resettle Palestine refugees and has been given various amounts money by U.S. as inducement. This entirely untrue.
We believe coordination Cairo, Damascus and Moscow efforts significant and lends support to reports Egyptians and Syrians are planning coup, with Jordan émigrés as nucleus of new government. Campaign is another indication difficulties in path our having fruitful relations with Egypt under Nasser.
Situation within Jordan appears be under control at present. Anti-Hussein demonstrations reported by Cairo, Damascus and Moscow in fact pro-Hussein demonstrations arranged by Government. While evaluation loyalty of Army, which is crucial factor, very difficult, appears mainly loyal although some reports disaffection. Tight security measures and restrictions on civilian travel have so far been successful in preventing continuation nuisance bombings which occurred October.
However, situation extremely dangerous. Although anti-Hussein campaign could redound against Nasser, presence large number unemployed and general dissatisfaction population, particularly Palestine refugee element, with Hussein and Government offers fertile soil for propaganda effort this type. We would regard success this campaign and overthrow Hussein and Government and replacement by Government following Egyptian-Syrian line as most serious development affecting stability of entire area and Western position there.
. . . . . . .
We are making clear to Hussein our support for him in this crisis and have left Egyptians in no doubt of our strong disapproval this campaign, which constitutes new obstacle in way betterment relations between US and Egypt and creates new tensions in ME.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.85/11–1557. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Compton and Parker and approved by Rountree who signed for Dulles. Repeated to Amman and London.↩