Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Near East: Jordan-Yemen, Volume XIII

87. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan¹

Washington, May 7, 1957—12:09 p.m.

1646. Amman’s 1501.²

1. Department shares your view future stability Jordan matter of deep concern to US. We prepared be as helpful as possible but we consider it most important that USG not emerge as sole source of aid for Jordan. Accordingly we will continue urge Saudis³ and Iraqis assist Jordan. Up to now Iraqis have felt unable give substantial financial assistance. We intend keep on pressing this point with Nuri and are suggesting to Saud that he discuss matter in Baghdad during his visit there.

2. We have already expressed to British our hope that UK will extend every possible economic assistance to Jordan. We plan discuss this further with view to achieving UK acquiescence in deferral payments called for by agreement terminating UK–HKJ Treaty, and continued UK project assistance.

3. Broad authority given you in Deptel 1542⁴ (see para 4) should put you in position respond to Jordan’s most urgent needs in planning expenditure of $10 million and can be used budget support including military salaries.

4. Nature and amount of further US economic aid, if any, to Jordan must of necessity depend on firm recommendations Embassy. We are more interested Embassy’s views and projections re what HKJ Govt will require in months ahead to maintain solvency with respect its internal obligations and assure modest program economic development than in lists recommended projects. This connection best possible info re Jordan budget situation would be useful.

5. We prepared consider sympathetically military assistance to Jordan Army view assuring morale and efficiency of necessary force maintain effective internal security. Dept now discussing matter with Defense and will advise.⁵

Herter

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 785.5–MSP/5–757. Secret. Drafted by Bergus and approved by Rountree who signed for Herter. Pouched to Beirut, Cairo, and London and repeated to Baghdad, Damascus, and Jidda.
2. Document 83.
3. In telegram 1001 to Jidda, May 6, the Department instructed the Embassy, among other things, to express to the King U.S. concern over Jordan’s financial situation and to convey its appreciation of Saud’s support for Hussein. The Department added that while the United States was continuing its assistance to Jordan, it believed that there was great advantage in stabilizing the situation in Jordan through assistance from other Arab countries. Both Saudi Arabia and Iraq, the Department noted, might wish to consider additional measures. (Department of State, Central Files, 123–Wadsworth, George)
4. See Document 81.
5. On May 9 in telegram 1541, the Embassy in Amman informed the Department that it had conveyed the substance of paragraphs 1 and 2 of telegram 1646 to Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister Rifai, Minister of Finance Hananiya, Minister of the Economy Khairy, and the Director of the U.S. Operations Mission in Jordan. Regarding paragraph 3, the Embassy noted, that since the subject of military salaries did not arise, it had offered no comment. There was no discussion of paragraphs 4 and 5. The Embassy added, among other things, that both Rifai and Hananiya urged that the entire $10 million in aid be furnished immediately for the Jordanian budget. (Department of State, Central Files, 785.5–MSP/5–957)