399. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan1
1169. We are conveying to Egyptian authorities in Cairo and Washington our strong disapproval of current Cairo radio attacks on King Hussein,2 stating that this is good example of type of move by [Page 796] GOE which places serious obstacle in way of establishment of fruitful US-Egyptian relations.
At same time we are exploring possibility of suggesting to Iraq, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia that they come out openly in condemnation of Egyptian-Syrian-Russian campaign of interference in domestic affairs of sister Arab state. Without consulting Government to which you are accredited, cable your estimate of its reaction to such approach and your views re desirability thereof.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.86/11–1457. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Dorman and approved by Rountree who signed for Dulles. Also sent Priority to Baghdad, Beirut, and Jidda; repeated to Cairo and Damascus.↩
- On November 6, Ambassador Mallory reported from Amman that Egyptian radio commentaries were accusing King Hussein of trying to make peace with Israel and exhorting Jordanians in effect to assassinate the King. Mallory also noted that, according to Foreign Minister Rifa’i, the Jordanian Government was responding with its own propaganda. (Telegram 930 from Amman, November 6; ibid., 674.85/11-657) No documentation on direct U.S. approaches to Egyptian authorities in Washington or Cairo has been found in Department of State files. Ambassador Hussein, however, did give Ambassador Hare a report on his discussion with Nasser on the subject; see telegram 1226, Document 403.↩