41. Telegram From the Embassy in Jordan to the Department of State1
477. Immediately following good-bye call on me by Ambassador Duke our ARMA gave me following details long conversation he had just finished with Major General Ali Abu Nuwwar, Commanding General Jordan Arab Army.
- 1.
- Iraqi would not accept him as Commanding General combined armies. Furthermore they insisted Jordan terminate Egyptian-Syrian-Jordanian tripartite military pact which he refused. As result Joint Staff arrangements abandoned and Nuwwar expects Iraqi troops will gradually phase-out.
- 2.
- Nuwwar said Communist influence gaining very rapidly here. If US wants salvage anything in Jordan it must act immediately.
His recommendation is that US furnish military and economic aid Jordan in sufficient volume compensate for similar British aid which will soon be ended. If US will put up money and arms Nuwwar guarantees that communism will be prevented from dominating Jordan, that he will dissolve Parliament and take over the government, and “I and the people of Jordan will follow US policies”. Nuwwar said he willing fly Washington and confer with President Eisenhower and other officials and sign agreement along lines as drafted by US. Nuwwar said he is anti-Communist but he must have aid and if he does not get it from US he will get it from USSR.
. . . . . . .
In conclusion Nuwwar expressed desire see me personally and begged most strongly that this message be treated in highest confidence with no indication any such matter under consideration being communicated anyone outside American Embassy Amman, himself, and few US officials in Washington… .
In conclusion Nuwwar reiterated his strong anti-Communist stand but stated that if he has to turn to Communists for assistance he will be in the first rank of those waving the red flag.
I will probably have to see Nuwwar before long. Should Department have any comments would appreciate them promptly.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/11–956. Top Secret; Priority; Noforn.↩