4. Editorial Note
On April 1, in a memorandum to Secretary Dulles, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs George Allen presented his views on the matter of Jordan’s or other Arab States’ adherence to the Turko-Iraqi Pact. Allen informed the Secretary that he had discussed the question with the Counselor of the British Embassy and expressed concern that Jordanian adherence to the Pact might encourage Lebanese or even Syrian participation. Such events, Allen continued, might complicate U.S. efforts to effect an Egyptian-Israeli settlement by isolating Egypt, weakening Nasser, and intensifying “Israel’s agitation.” (Department of State, Central Files, 682.87/4–155)
That same day, the Embassy in London reported that in conversations with Shuckburgh, the Assistant Under-Secretary of State expressed the view that the United Kingdom was not pressing Jordan or any other Arab State to join the Turko-Iraqi pact. The British made it clear, Shuckburgh continued, that should Jordan decide to enter the pact, the United Kingdom would consider revising the Anglo-Jordanian treaty. According to the Embassy, Shuckburgh thought it “extremely dangerous” for either the United States [Page 6] or the United Kingdom to discourage Jordanian adherence. (Telegram 4350 from London; Ibid.)
On April 4, Aldrich informed the Department that in the course of a conversation with Eden, the British Prime Minister stated that neither the United States nor the United Kingdom should advise Jordan against joining the Turko-Iraqi pact. (Telegram 4365 from London; Ibid., 780.5/4–455)