23. Telegram From the Embassy in Jordan to the Department of State1
502. Storm over Glubb’s dismissal is rapidly subsiding. Jordanians have taken mild and reassuring line which has been helpful with British and in apparent interest maintaining as much influence and strength as possible and salvage best from situation UK now appears to be meeting HKJ halfway. British Embassy has accepted King Hussein protestation of his desire for continuation close ties with UK and West which apparently echoed in Foreign Office. An accommodation re British officers in Legion will likely be worked out to mutual satisfaction UK and Jordan within next few weeks.
Precise analysis underlying causes and reasons for Hussein’s action not yet possible. My best estimate is that number of influences combined toward King’s decision. Contributory were:
- (a)
- Dislike of Glubb by certain family elements …;
- (b)
- The general anti-British line promoted by Egypt especially as regards lack of Arab control of Legion;
- (c)
- Dissatisfaction among Arab Legion officers particularly junior group who formed sort of free officers movement;
- (d)
- King’s realization that such popular move would rebuild his waning influence and popularity;
- (e)
- Possibly the King believed, as he has announced over the radio, that Glubb did not plan sufficiently aggressive tactics in case of war with Israel and that there is not enough ammunition.
Above list indicative and not exclusive but probably contains the major items. The Egyptians did not have as far as we can determine any recent direct hand in Glubb’s ousting but their activities over the past year in the propaganda field and working with officers were contributory. Cannot accept, however, alleged claim of Egyptian Ambassador here that he responsible for victory nor claims of London newspapers that it is all an Egyptian plot. Most of it is Hussein’s own doing but with considerable assistance, prompting and nudging. There are several side effects. Most apparent is the exaltation of Arab nationalism. This has been accomplished by an increase in anti-foreign sentiment. Unless there is some rather dramatic development enhancing prestige of UK and US, it may be expected that this anti-foreign and particularly anti-Western sentiment in the populace will remain at new high level. Another effect is frank fear on the part of Arab Christians as rising Moslem xenophobia becomes more apparent. In some vague way they feel they lost protection through Glubb’s dismissal. General security is being questioned and some flight of capital is already reported. A number of Christian Arab businessmen are seriously considering migration. The effectiveness of the Legion will tend to be less.
Glubb’s dismissal is not an unmitigated evil. The action has gone far toward removing Jordan’s defensive position and inferiority complex vis-à-vis other Arab states. King is now hero and no longer puppet. Prime Minister Rifai says HKJ is now in position to have even improved relations with Britain with the new and more “normal” situation. Syrians and Egyptians no longer able either look down noses at British dominated Legion or use it as propaganda weapon. As result HKJ may be able take more positive and constructive attitude toward Arab politics and eventually perhaps Arab-Israeli dispute. Dangers lie in natural Arab tendency become over-confident and rash.
A major question is strength and source of leadership. Previous governments have been weak and ineffective. King has been well aware and deplored this. Coincident with new popularity he has also taken more positive direction of the executive and to large extent is running the show. He is young and inexperienced but providing he [Page 34] does nothing foolish may remain in saddle for some time which is desirable with populace of so many uncertain and divided loyalties.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 785.00/3–1656. Confidential. Repeated to Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, London, Ankara, Jerusalem, Jidda, Paris, Tel Aviv, Tehran, and Tripoli; passed to the Department of the Army.↩