14. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State1
2795. Kirkpatrick called me to Foreign Office this afternoon and, after informing me of instructions sent Makins last night to advise Department that King of Transjordan yesterday requested UK to pass on to Iraq inquiry concerning availability of Iraq division for service in current situation Jordan, which request Cabinet felt it had [Page 18] no alternative but to comply with, told me on instructions that at subsequent Cabinet meeting this morning British have decided to reinforce their Middle East forces and will issue announcement that connection this afternoon. Kirkpatrick said announcement would be to effect that because of situation in Middle East reinforcements are being sent to the area. There will be no reference to Jordan but obviously press will deduce purpose. In response to my question Kirkpatrick said further that reinforcements now contemplated will consist of approximately one brigade which will be sent to Cyprus.
Re King’s position and attitude Kirkpatrick said Hussein is apparently angry and at moment determined to take such forceful action as is required. However he does not now contemplate suspending constitution and ruling by martial law but is relying on his Prime Minister to re-establish control. King appreciates gravity of calling in assistance from foreign troops but would envisage such step as the lesser of evils. He is aware that Egypt would react vociferously but assumes she will be stopped from physical intervention by absence of common frontier.
Kirkpatrick emphasized seriousness of situation in Jordan but at same time thought it by no means certain that situation cannot be held with Arab Legion as at present deployed. He noted that UK regards activities of Egyptian radio as particularly provocative and is instructing Trevelyan to endeavor to persuade Nasser to call off its present highly inflammatory broadcasting. He suggested that it might be helpful if US Embassy in Cairo would support Trevelyan’s representations with Nasser in this connection.
With regard to possible evacuation of British civilians UK appreciates seriousness such step and does not contemplate action to that end now. If worst comes to worst Kirkpatrick noted that British have an armored regiment already in Jordan and 600 British Air Force ground troops in Habbaniya which could presumably hold an airfield as safe civilian evacuation area.
Course of conversation Kirkpatrick remarked incidentally that he had noted that US Consulate Jerusalem had bad time and that US Marines were involved in its protection. He inquired on what basis Marines were attached to Consulate whether by convention or otherwise. I was unable to say whether such Marines might be regular part of Consulate complement or had been sent from Embassy Guard detachment at Tel Aviv nor in either case whether they are there on basis of specific international agreement or merely as normal official Guard complement.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 785.00/1–1056. Secret; Priority. Repeated to Amman, Tel Aviv, Baghdad, and Cairo.↩