Office of the Historian

76. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Saudi Arabia1

Washington, April 25, 1957—11:04 a.m.

944. Department desires you seek audience as soon as possible with King to review current situation in Jordan. Emphasize our deep concern over events and our firm determination, which we believe King shares with us, to preserve independence of Jordan. You may inform King:

1.
We have irrefutable evidence Syrians and Egyptians are carrying out widespread covert operations against Hussein and Jordanian regime in obvious collaboration with Communists. We have knowledge Egyptian sponsored plot to assassinate Hussein. We would urge Saud exercise great care with respect his own personal security at this time.
2.
We attach importance at this juncture to open support of Hussein by friendly nations such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq and to public expression of willingness by such nations to provide forces for assistance of Hussein if he should request them. We would hope King might see way clear to make such expression. We know Hussein keenly appreciates King’s current support.
3.
We wish lend our support in every practicable way and have problem under constant consideration. (FYI: In this connection Department requests you also determine, if possible, extent of King’s current financial assistance to Jordan. End FYI.)
4.
We believe this to be most critical time and believe it is in interests freedom and independence of all Arab peoples to support Hussein.2

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 785.00/4–2557. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Newsom and approved and signed by Dulles.↩
  2. On April 29, Wadsworth informed the Department that he presented the substance of telegram 944 to King Saud in an audience on April 27. According to the Ambassador, Saud noted, among other things, that he would continue to support Hussein and had already placed Saudi forces in Jordan under Hussein’s command. The King also noted that Hussein was short of funds and if the United States could furnish money, it would be best to do so through Iraq. (Telegram 659 from Jidda; ibid., 785.00/4–2957)↩