15. Editorial Note
On January 12, at the 272d meeting of the National Security Council, the President presiding, Allen Dulles in his review of significant world developments affecting United States security, raised the question of British policy in Jordan. The memorandum of discussion includes the following exchange:
“Mr. Dulles expressed the view that the British have suffered their most humiliating diplomatic defeat in modem history as a result of developments in Jordan. To protect what remains of British interests in the Middle East, London had lately airlifted troops to Cyprus. Mr. Dulles believed that General Glubb would probably be able to maintain the situation against the extremists. While, said Mr. Dulles, the Communist element in Jordan was not yet in a decisive position, the Communists were exploiting to the hilt all the advantages which presented themselves.
“Secretary Dulles inquired of Mr. Allen Dulles whether there was not evidence of Communist direction of the riots directed against U.S. installations throughout Jordan last Saturday. Mr. Allen Dulles replied that this was a hard question to answer. There was not sufficient hard evidence to reply categorically one way or the other. There was always a tendency to blame the Communists for everything that happened.
“Mr. Dulles thought that the repercussions on Iraq of events in Jordan might prove quite serious, though as long as Nuri remained in control Iraq would remain attached to the Baghdad Pact.
“All these developments, said Mr. Dulles, were evidently causing the British to re-think their policy in the Middle East and perhaps to put greater weight on the necessity for securing a peace between Israel and Egypt. This would show up when Prime Minister Eden came to Washington.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)