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

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

Washington, June 24, 1957—7:15 p.m.

2058. President on June 24 signed determination under Section 401(a) of Mutual Security Act of 1954 as amended providing for extension military assistance to Jordan in amount $10,000,000. Following are steps Department envisages in executing assistance program under this determination. You are authorized begin with step #1 soonest.

1. Inform King Hussein and Rifai we have given serious study various Jordan requests for military assistance. We have decided extend military assistance to value of $10 million as one-shot operation. Portion this assistance can be allocated for training in US but we understand most pressing Jordan military requirement be equipment. USG does not intend financing any increase present level Jordan armed forces, but rather providing most urgently needed replacements present equipment in order maintain effectiveness present forces. FYI We believe primary needs are in ground forces and Presidential determination made on that basis. This does not necessarily preclude limited amount equipment for other services. End FYI.

A. Equipment. We believe it unwise introduce American equipment into Jordan Army in view obvious problems standardization and increased cost involved. We therefore intend purchase equipment needed from UK under offshore procurement procedures.

We envisage Jordan–US consultations at working level initially perhaps in Amman but principally at EUCOM (Paris) to draw up list items desired, establishing priorities in light equipment on hand, estimated needs, costs, etc. We hope Jordan able send few selected officers Paris. We believe wide knowledge possessed by our people in EUCOM and USAREUR of supply situation and serviceability various types military items available in UK will be extremely useful to Jordanians.

As soon as agreed list completed, we will arrange to obtain through USAREUR estimated prices delivered HKJ, availability and delivery date and begin making arrangements for procurement through Dept/Army channels. We will endeavor have deliveries start as soon as possible. Must be understood clearly no additional US funds will be forthcoming from USG for transportation. Therefore transportation and training costs must be deducted from $10 million to determine amount available for actual purchases of equipment. FYI USARMA will act as US Agent to receive items for transfer to HKJ. End FYI.

B. Training. We can make available limited number vacancies for training Jordanians at US defense installations, FYI primarily for moral and political purposes End FYI. ARMA should submit soonest to Dept Army preliminary estimate number students and type courses desired. FYI We assume Jordanians most interested in basic courses at Infantry, Artillery and Armored Schools. No vacancies now available Command and General Staff College. School courses are listed in DA Pamphlet 20–21. End FYI.

Should be made clear all training costs, including transportation, per diem and tuition for students will be deducted from $10 million. Estimated comprehensive costs per Middle East student in recent past have averaged $1,500 for Infantry School, $4,000 for Artillery School, $2,800 for Armored School.

2. If King and Rifa’i agreeable above, essential exchange of notes establishing agreement be made as soon as possible. Text of draft note is being transmitted by separate cable. Text should not be made public for time being. Suggest you emphasize desirability limiting distribution within HKJ for present.

3. We are informing British Emb here of our plans June 25. We assume British willing go along. We authorizing Jidda and Baghdad inform Saudis and Iraqis general plans on June 26. We are informing Israelis here June 26 also.²

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 785.5–MSP/6–2457. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Bergus and Parker and approved by Rountree who signed for Dulles. Repeated to Paris and passed to USCINCEUR and DEFREPNAMA.
2. On June 25, the Embassy in Amman informed the Department, in telegram 1886, that it had conveyed the substance of its instructions to King Hussein and Samir Rifai. According to the Embassy, both were “most grateful and fulsome” in their appreciation for aid and were ready to “move soonest”. (Ibid., 785.5–MSP/ 6–2557)