Office of the Historian

22. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan1

Washington, March 10, 1956—6:35 p.m.

490. 1. Dept notes press reports that King Hussein has rejected ESS aid offer because of condition that he renounce British assistance. Mallory should approach King at earliest opportunity and discuss informing him of US gratification at this step. USG continues feel long-standing ties between UK and Jordan have contributed much to sovereign independence of HKJ. We hope that satisfactory arrangements can be worked out between UK and Jordan and are speaking to British along this line. If appropriate you should point out that relaxation of controls along Jordan-Israel armistice line can lead to cycle of bloody incidents with dangerous consequences. Advise British colleague in confidence.

2. Embassy London should inform FonOff in confidence of foregoing and state Dept hopes Glubb letter to Times (London’s 38592) indicates intention on part HMG seek work out arrangements with Jordan which will maintain British interests and relations there. We understand difficulties which dismissal Glubb presents to HMG and complex problems HMG faces in attempts create effective [Page 32] relationship between HMG and Arab Legion. At same time we feel attempt should be made and hasty action which could be interpreted as punitive avoided.3

Hoover
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 641.85/3–956. Secret. Drafted by Bergus; approved by Rountree who signed for Hoover. Sent also to London; repeated to Ankara, Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Jidda, Paris, and Tel Aviv; and pouched to Karachi and Jerusalem.↩
  2. In telegram 3859 from London, March 9, the Embassy forwarded a brief summary of a letter which Glubb had written to the London Times. In his letter, Glubb urged that Britain use restraint and advised against a policy of “getting tough” or stopping the subsidy. According to Glubb, his dismissal was first a result of personal differences with the King and second a result of Egyptian and Saudi pressure. (Ibid.)↩
  3. In telegram 3906, March 12, the Embassy in London informed the Department that it had carried out its instructions. The Embassy also reported that it had informed the Foreign Office that the Department was aware of the difficulties facing the British Government in Jordan and that it hoped the British would be able to maintain its interests there. The Foreign Office, the Embassy continued, had indicated that future policy toward Jordan was still under consideration. In the Embassy’s view the prospect that Britain would terminate its subsidy was “now rather remote.” (Ibid., 641.85/3–1256) On March 13, Aldrich informed the Department that in a conversation with Eden he learned that Kirkbride was returning to Amman to talk with the King and to advise the British Government on their future course of action. According to Aldrich, Eden indicated that no mention was to be made regarding the continuation or cessation of the subsidy. Eden added that no final determination had been made regarding British policy toward Jordan, but it might be possible to maintain the Arab Legion as an “effective force.” (Telegram 3921 from London; Ibid., 641.85/3–1356)↩