Office of the Historian

21. Telegram From the Embassy in Syria to the Department of State1

undated

396.Johnston 7. My reception in Amman2 has been most cordial, and in complete contrast to events in October 1953. Following formal visit to King3 on February 11, which provided opportunity to discuss program fully, King arranged luncheon my honor next day with important cabinet ministers. King already well informed on our proposals, and took lead in cabinet meeting when they were fully discussed. He is definitely favorable to a settlement and his leadership has led wavering members of cabinet to take constructive stand. Talks with cabinet members have also been on friendly and constructive basis. Press has switched from bitter opposition and theme of Mission’s failure to cautious reports of my success, apparently as result government efforts condition public.

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This atmosphere had led Mission to hope that Jordanians might accept allocations and other provisions of undertaking pursuant Cairo talks, thus forcing hands of Syria and Lebanon. There were some indications that this might be outcome Amman visit until yesterday, when Lebanon cabled to HKJ requesting no action until completion talks in Damascus and Beirut where it is planned reassemble Arab committee, including Egyptians, about February 18, for further discussions which may lead to definitive Arab position.

Jordanians are caught in web of Arab league politics, as criticism of Iraqi action in case Turkish pact has made it difficult for Jordan to move on water problem without support of some Arab colleagues.

Jordanian reluctance come to terms with ME is not to be interpreted as diminution of their interest in valley project.

Moose
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/2–1455. Confidential. Received at 3:36 p.m. Repeated to Cairo, Tel Aviv, Amman, Beirut, London, Paris, Brussels, Ankara, Jidda, and Baghdad.↩
  2. A memorandum summarizing the results of Johnston’s discussions in Amman, February 10–13, isibid.,NEA/IAI Files: Lot 70 D 254, Amman, Jordan—Discussions 2/10–13/55.↩
  3. Hussein.↩