2. Telegram From the Embassy in Jordan to the Department of State1
264. King Hussein returned Amman noon yesterday. Member his party has given me confidential account Baghdad visit. King and all members party went Iraq sold on Egyptian viewpoint (some … have active anti-Iraq bias). While Baghdad discussions dispelled suspicions and eased feelings they were not so convincing as to counteract likely Egyptian sales effort when King proceeds Cairo February 21 (note date change avoid conflict with Eden).2 Apparently visit and discussions were just that and there was no great Iraqi understanding or any offer of assistance to Jordan. I was told that all party got was “an exposition on how well off Iraq is”. As an interesting personal sidelight Hussein is in quandary on providing adequate gift to Feisal which may have to be his favorite English sports car.
During King’s absence Cabinet approved budget lopping off his 100,000 dinars increase in 250,000 dinar item for Arab Legion Air Force. He is sold on air power and is now angry both with ground forces officials here and British who unsympathetic in London talks last December. The British Air Ministry was apparently less than [Page 3] tactful in talking of the expense of jets when a few obsolete piston-engined Spitfires at pounds sterling 1,000 each would have sufficed for training and prestige. The matter has reached a point where King Hussein has said to an intimate that on this trip he is going to ask the Egyptians for assistance in building an air force. My informant said he, of course, didn’t know what strings the Egyptians might attach but they could be counted on to make most of it.
Having come thus far my informant in oblique approach wondered whether the US could help since we must have quantities of Mustangs that could be distributed. I pointed out the broad strategic concepts which are known to my visitor and normal expectation any assistance from West would be in keeping therewith. Following completion Turco-Iraqi agreement other countries, for example Lebanon, could adhere, and might get arms. It was possible that Jordan could fall in same group but, of course, British interests in Arab Legion etc. controlling. Certainly I said Jordanian combination with Egypt against northern tier concept would not cause any enthusiasm on our part. I hinted that Egyptian skullduggery of present order may not help her in future. I asked that ideas be passed on to Hussein and I was assured they will be during trip to Cairo. British Embassy has not been informed of foregoing.
Am entertaining King quietly this evening and may have opportunity enlarge on facts. Increasingly apparent British handled London visit poorly and allowed impetus to nationalistic trends.
Re last paragraph Baghdad’s 584 believe wish father to thought.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.8587/2–;1855. Secret; Priority. Repeated to Baghdad, Cairo, Damascus, Beirut, London, Ankara, and Jidda.↩
- On February 20, Eden met with Nasser in Cairo.↩
- The last paragraph of telegram 584 from Baghdad, February 16, reads: “Interestingly enough, there is a widespread belief locally, expressed on occasion even in official circles, that fall of Abdul Huda’s Government imminent, although admittedly the wish here may be father to the thought.” (Department of State, Central Files, 682.87/2–1655)↩