61. Telegram From the Embassy in Jordan to the Department of State1
1268. Inform Richards. No cabinet formed as of 1100 GMT.2 Amman flooded with rumors and speculation but few facts.
King yesterday requested National Socialist Abdul Halim Nimr, member Nabulsi government, attempt form Cabinet. Consultations by Nimr broke down late afternoon apparently after he insisted inclusion Ba Thi Rimawi and National Socialist extremist Irshaidat in new Cabinet. This in line with pre-arranged stand anti-King bloc. Reports this morning are that King has requested Said Mufti form new government.
Strongest in maze rumors is that General Nuwwar completely on side Nabulsi crowd though still endeavoring maintain strong relations with King…. King being subjected pressures from all sides form government having support National Socialists (his request to Nimr may have been temporary yielding these pressures). Public views success Mufti efforts with considerable pessimism. Belief gaining currency that widespread disorders requiring use armed forces would invite Iraqi and Israeli intervention. (Nuwwar told ARMA 2 days ago if Iraqi tried move into Jordan he would resist them with all his strength although this not said in context lack of support for King. Moreover said he would do this in spite of [Page 91] probability Israel would then move in occupy West Bank.) News that another Syrian brigade may have moved Mafraq area heightens speculation that any move by Iraq likely be met with armed Syrian opposition.
Ba Thi–Communist student demonstrators estimated 600 assembled central Mosque square this morning listened to strong anti-west speeches from Communists Shuqayr, Warrad and others. They heaped abuse and blame on US for causing fall Nabulsi Government. (This TASS story of US complicity in government crisis, earlier propounded by Rimawi to British newsmen, appears gaining intensity. Pointed accusations being made against me and other Embassy officials for “roles” in ousting Nabulsi from power.) Demonstrators carried banners denouncing Eisenhower Doctrine Baghdad Pact and one calling for “cooperation of nation army and police”. Also shouting anti-monarchy epithets.
Reports from West Bank indicate no troubles so far today. In Jerusalem merchants determined settle all demonstrations lest Easter season tourists be frightened away. In country as whole extremist leaders appear to be holding street mobsters in reserve and calm still order of day. King reportedly has taken precautionary measures designed stop troubles before they begin. Yesterday to British Ambassador he expressed reserved confidence situation would soon be satisfactory but hoped Richards mission arrival “would be delayed” until this realized.
There is little ground for optimism and Embassy maintaining precautions respecting safety of dependents.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/4–1357. Secret; Priority. Repeated priority to Addis Ababa, and to Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Jerusalem, Jidda, London, and Aden.↩
- On April 15, Dr. Husayn al-Khalidi formed a new government serving as Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Nabulsi became Minister of Foreign Affairs.↩