Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Near East: Jordan-Yemen, Volume XIII

109. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia¹

Washington, November 16, 1957—2:57 p.m.

704. 1. Department considers that successful coup d’état against present regime in Jordan, instigated or supported from Egypt and Syria, would be serious blow to Western interests in Middle East. It wishes to consider urgently what preventive or countermeasures might feasibly be undertaken.

2. You should personally seek audience with King soonest, informing him that in present threat to Jordan we desire urgently to have his views on following questions:

a) How imminent does he consider threat of leftist coup in Jordan to be?

b) Is there any additional advice or assistance he could give King Hussein at this stage to help him in warding off the danger of such a coup?

c) …

3. In addition foregoing, Department would appreciate your views without discussion with King, as to the probable consequences in Saudi Arabia of:

a) An appeal by Hussein for Saudi assistance in dealing with a coup d’état.

b) Western military intervention at King Hussein’s request.²

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 785.00/11–1657. Top Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Dorman and approved and signed by Dulles.
2. On November 16, the Department of State sent similar telegrams to Baghdad and Beirut with particular instructions for each post. (Telegram 1251 to Baghdad and telegram 1980 to Beirut; both Ibid.)