Office of the Historian

63. Memorandum From the Deputy Director for Intelligence, The Joint Staff (Collins), to the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Special Operations (Erskine)1

Washington, April 15, 1957.

SUBJECT

  • Current Situation in Jordan
1.
In spite of a backdrop of conflicting and censored information, it is apparent that King Hussein, at the moment at least, has the upper hand in his struggle to retain the throne and to wrest control of the country from the pro-Egyptian/Syrian and leftist factions.
2.
The preponderance of the regular Army (25,300), key element in the current Jordanian crisis, has remained loyal to King Hussein. The vacillating, but generally pro-Egyptian Army Chief of Staff, Major General Ali Abu Nuwar, has been deported to Syria and reportedly a Hussein favorite, Major General Ali Hiyari, is now Acting Chief of Staff of the Army. In addition, large numbers of [Page 95] bedouin tribal elements (reported to be anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000) have entered the city of Amman to demonstrate loyalty to their King (and to fight for him if necessary).
3.
We have press information to the effect that a new cabinet has been formed today by independent, pro-West Khalidi. The press also reports that recently-ousted Prime Minister Nabulsi is a member of the new cabinet. With the exception of Nabulsi, the new cabinet, it is believed, will be generally amenable to Hussein’s pro-West policy.
4.
The enthusiasm of the pro-Egyptian/Syrian Palestinian Arabs for demonstrations against the King may be dampened by the attitude of the Army and by Hussein’s apparent intention to use the Army to maintain order and support his throne.
5.
It is too early to tell whether or not Hussein has weathered the storm. The Syrians might still be induced to intervene in support of their partisans. Iraq stands ready to move in to support Hussein if asked. Saud probably wishes Hussein success. And Israel must be expected to be prepared to take advantage of a break-up of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. On balance, however, it appears that each of the neighboring states will work to preserve the Kingdom lest each might lose out in the division of the spoils.
Richard Collins2
Brigadier General, USA
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Service, JCS Records, CJCS—Palestine (17 June 57). Secret. The source text is a copy forwarded by Collins to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on April 15 under cover of a memorandum, attached to the source text, indicating that the ribbon copy of the memorandum had been sent to Erskine in response to a verbal request earlier that day.↩
  2. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩