94. Telegram From the Embassy in Iraq to the Department of State1
2064. Joint Embassy–USOM. From Gallman and Seager.
Met for one hour this morning with Nuri. Ambassador explained purpose Seager’s mission and emphasized urgent nature time factor with respect action on Jordan. Seager described difficult situation confronting Jordan assuming Egypt–Syria subsidy and near desperate outlook if Egypt–Syria subsidy unpaid. Nuri here interposed emphatically that subsidies would not be paid adding “in addition to which Syria is bankrupt”.
[Page 142]Made it clear to Nuri that Jordan’s survival dependent upon early additional financial support. Explained that additional US support without contribution by Iraq both difficult to justify at home and politically unwise. Told Nuri we found it hard to believe Iraq unwilling and unable share cost Jordan’s immediate survival. Thus some immediate Iraq contribution appeared imperative.
Nuri listened attentively throughout opening presentation. Did not affect hardness of hearing as frequently his habit when controversial topics under discussion. His initial reaction was somewhat petulant statement Jordan’s dilemma of that country’s own making, strongly abetted by King Saud. Nuri said he had repeatedly urged Jordan Government not to take action resulting in loss British subsidy but they cease to follow advice of Saud and Nasser with present deplorable consequence. “It is therefore duty of Saud to help them more. He should pay twice three times as much as he has promised. We are blameless in this matter. Let him pay”.
We explained it was less a matter of ascribing blame as facing up to present reality. Time pressing. Immediate decision required. Unlikely Saud would agree, after time-consuming argument, increase his contribution to anywhere near proportions required.
Nuri then adopted line that he would help if he could but owing pipeline stoppage had borrowed money for budget needs from IPC and constitutionally impossible raid ib [it?] for purpose support Jordan. He added that he had in fact materially helped Jordan this week. He had undertaken make available immediately one and one-half million dinars Iraq contribution to phosphate development and had let Jordan Government know Iraq would keep eyes closed if money diverted to other Jordanian domestic purposes. Insistently pleading both good will and poverty, he urged US put pressure on Saud and UK, the former to increase his subsidy and latter continue some loans for development purposes. Any remaining gap to be closed by US diversion of funds from aid recipients in less urgent need than Jordan. We insisted this proposes solution both unpalatable and unjustifiable. Iraq had major interest in stability present Jordan Government and must itself find or divert funds to aid Jordan.
Nuri obdurate but declared his maximum concession would be to borrow (if USG willing) equivalent Syria subsidy (dinars 2.5 million) from US Government free of interest, repayable in 1960, and that he would immediately turn this sum over to Jordan. We explained this not possible in our view but would report to Washington. We added that some reflection needed both parties after this initial meeting and that we would solicit further meeting within 48 hours. Nuri Said more time needed because of Cabinet crisis. Suggested meeting next Monday. Seager insisted this too long to wait. [Page 143] We will therefore attempt further discussion Wednesday and will then tell him, if his attitude continues negative, that we wish explain situation to Crown Prince Abdul Illah view strong royal family ties between Iraq and Jordan. Seager concluded by saying he confident USG would provide 5 million dollars additional support Jordan if Iraq contributed immediately 6 million dollars out of its own resources. Nuri again pleaded poverty and closed with long dissertation on historic theme of Israel, need for US to insist on settlement Palestine issue, hopeless outlook for Jordan long as settlement not reached, and so forth.
Department may wish furnish comment on Nuri’s loan proposal prior our next meeting.
Nuri’s conversational trend throughout appeared indicate he expected continue as PM although he feigned ignorance.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 885.0086/6–1057. Secret; Priority.↩