9. Telegram From the Embassy in Jordan to the Department of State1
306. Further to my immediately preceding telegram 305.2
King Hussein stated to Embassy officer that ESS offer displace UK financial assistance Jordan was not received but is expected. Prime Minister of Syria has requested permission to visit Hussein. Jordanians have stalled on this but must reply within few days and probably affirmatively.
King admits frankly that although he is against this offer as not being in interests of Jordan, his hand can be forced by public opinion to position where he would have to accept.
King stated he has received extremely confidential information indicating that the money would be made available possibly even from Moscow. I entertain some doubts on reliability this latter information but must admit that strange things are happening in this part of the world. There is also hint from other sources that USSR Ambassador Cairo has offered to help.
The consequences of valid-appearing offer forcing Jordan’s hand would be far reaching and deleterious. No method preventing acceptance appears except UK and US prepared assure King promptly of large package arms and aid. I am not sanguine such would suffice to convert government and public opinion from its pro-Arab exultation… .
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 885.10/12–2755. Secret; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Damascus and London.↩
- In telegram 305 from Amman, December 27, the Embassy informed the Department that on December 26 the Amman press reported Jordan’s official denial that the ESS powers had offered it financial aid. On December 27, however, an Arab News Agency report indicated that such an offer was made. In the Embassy’s view the offer had not yet been made, but the Jordanian Government reportedly feared that it would be forthcoming. (Ibid.)↩