153. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State1
141. From Russell. As reported telegram 862 there is present disposition on part of FonOff recognize impelling reasons for Secretary to make an early statement on Israel-Arab problem. British have expressed gratification that ideas in Secretary’s draft statement are those which have been worked out in Alpha. As following telegram3 indicates we have been engaged in formulating specific measures to be taken preparatory and subsequent to proposed statements by Secretary and Macmillan.
British anxieties with respect to effect of proposed statements on governments and public in Middle East and specifically in Iraq and Jordan, however, remain.FonOff points out that there is a risk of the following repercussions in respect of which the British have particular responsibility: (1) visibility of grave disturbances in the refugee camps leading to border troubles in Gaza or along Jordan frontier involving the British treaty with Jordan and Arab legion; (2) possible violent reaction of disappointment on the part of a new and perhaps extremist Israeli Government leading again to involvement of Jordan; and (3) what concerns them mostly is reaction from Nuri and the Arab world generally which would destroy progress to date on northern tier and even lose the British their treaty position in Iraq. At worst Nuri might be overthrown in a wave of public indignation against a policy of cooperation with the West. If estimates from area pointed to such developments, they would in British opinion have to be regarded as overriding.
In order to obtain most accurate possible appraisal,FonOff is sending Geoffrey Arthur to Baghdad (arriving Thursday morning and reporting directly to Macmillan in Paris) to talk with British Ambassador there and later with British Ambassador Amman.
Possibility suggested from discussion this morning that there are two steps which U.S. might take which would bear heavily toward favorable reaction on part of Nuri: (1) decision to provide Iraq through off-shore procurement with small number Centurion tanks along lines recently discussed in Washington, and (2) statement to Nuri that U.S. continues support Turco-Iraqi pact and that while present state of Israel-Arab relations prevents U.S. adherence to pact, [Page 288] if settlement were worked out along lines Secretary will propose, U.S. adherence might be contemplated. If decision could be made on these two points it would not only minimize danger of an explosive Iraqi opposition to proposals but would greatly relieve UK concern re position in Iraq and Jordan.
Macmillan will probably raise these points with Secretary at Paris.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/7–1255. Top Secret;Niact; Alpha; Limit Distribution. Received at 2:33 p.m.↩
- Document 148.↩
- Infra.↩