Office of the Historian

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

Washington,June 3, 1955—7:15 p.m.

517.Johnston reluctantly planning postpone his return Near East formerly scheduled early June. Factors considered include:

(1)
Fact Israel position not yet sufficiently clear and discussions still being conducted
(2)
Departure King Hussein June 4 for about one month and change Jordanian cabinet2
(3)
Syrian Foreign Minister Azm expected leave Near East June 15
(4)
Absence Mohammed Selim from Near East until first July

Addressees authorized inform Foreign Offices and discuss such of above factors as may appear useful.

Information reaching Johnston and Department indicates several Arab officials suspicious of Johnston’s discussions Washington with Israelis and tendency assume negotiations somehow being “conducted behind Arabs’ back.” Suggest you take early occasion refer to conclusion Beirut discussions when Johnston undertook to present program to Israelis. He did so, and has continued negotiations in effort to obtain satisfactory position.

[Page 219]

New target date for Johnston’s return tentatively set for July 11 on assumption Israel position meanwhile clarified. Your comments requested.3

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/6–355. Official Use Only. Drafted by Troxel; cleared with Bergus and Barnes; and approved by Russell who signed for Dulles. Also sent to Cairo, Beirut, Tel Aviv, Baghdad, Jidda, London, and Karachi by pouch for Gardiner.↩
  2. On May 29, King Hussein accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Tawfik al-Huda and asked former Prime Minister Said Mufti to form a new Cabinet.↩
  3. Telegram 437 from Amman, June 7; telegram 1887 from Cairo, June 10; and telegram 1302 from Beirut, June 9, reported that the Jordanian, Egyptian, and Lebanese Governments had been informed of Johnston’s decision and had raised no objections. (Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/6–755, 120.1580/6–1055, and 120.1580/6–955, respectively) The Embassy in Tel Aviv reported on June 10 that it had discussed Johnston’s decision the previous day with Herzog, Wiener, and Kollek, who all agreed that if Johnston could not arrive in June, his trip should be delayed so that he would not arrive in Israel until after the July 26 elections. The Embassy concurred in this recommendation. (Telegram 1042 from Tel Aviv, June 10;ibid., 120.1580/5–1055) The Embassy in Jidda commented on June 9 that “SAG generally views Johnston negotiations with unconcern, an attitude we hope will continue. Any change in all probability would be toward unhelpful position.” (Telegram 562 from Jidda, June 9;ibid., 120.1580/6–955)↩