Office of the Historian

12. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations1

Washington, May 20, 1958—7:30 p.m.

811. Re: Arab Union. Dept reviewed with British Embassy officer last Friday2 our recent approaches Amman, Baghdad, and SYG (Deptel 2446 to Amman, pouched USUN, and 781 to USUN)3 represent AU intention try retain two UN seats after Union becomes effective. Dept expressed concern basis urtel 13134 that UK and US may be taking somewhat divergent positions this matter, stressing [Page 19] desirability close coordination between us. Dept reemphasized US view that assuring AU actually a union in eyes of world of greater importance than tactical advantage conceivably obtainable from maintaining Jordan and Iraq seats in UN.

Also expressed doubts that separate seats would lessen chances future Iraqi interventions in Palestine case.

Dept reiterated hope avoiding embarrassing UN debate or taking of public position by Jordan and Iraq from which they would have difficulty withdrawing later. Stated, in answer Embassy officer inquiry, our view US probably have to oppose continuation two seats if problem aired publicly.

Embassy officer said he would inform Foreign office of US views immediately. In his opinion what difference exists between us lies more in tactics than substance, UK being desirous if possible avoid pressing Iraq and Jordan on matter apparently so dear to them.

Embassy officer informed Dept today of UK Embassy’s approach Rifai Amman urging Rifai consult with SYG on representation problem. Embassy officer pointed out his representation not in response to last Friday’s conversations on which no UK Foreign Office response as yet.

USUN requested keep in touch SYG this matter. May inform SYG fact US Chargé Amman instructed continue to stress to King and HKJ officials our belief that 1) prestige of Jordan and Jordanian leaders is now clearly committed to making Union an effective entity and 2) welfare of Jordan can best be served by so doing.

Mission should in its discretion express hope SYG will keep us informed his latest thinking on subject together with any further discussion which he may have with Jordanians.5

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.386/5–2058. Secret. Drafted by Hartley and Ludlow, cleared by Waggoner and Nunley, and approved by Adams who signed for Dulles. Repeated to Amman, Baghdad, and London.↩
  2. No other record of this conversation has been found, but a memorandum of a May 15 conversation along these lines is ibid., 310.386/5–1358.↩
  3. Document 9. Regarding telegram 781, see footnote 3, ibid.↩
  4. Telegram 1313, May 4, transmitted the Mission at the United Nations Daily Classified Summary Number 220. Under the heading “Arab Union Representation,” it summarized the U.K. position on this subject, and noted that Dixon was scheduled to discuss it with Hammarskjöld on May 15. (Department of State, Central Files, 310.5/5–1458) A record of Dixon’s conversation with the Secretary-General was transmitted in telegram 1330 from USUN, May 16. (ibid., 310.386/5–1658)↩
  5. Lodge reported on his conversation with Hammarskjöld in telegram 1376, May 23. (ibid., 310.386/5–2358)↩