354. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, October 15, 19581
SUBJECT
- UAR Blockade of Jordan
PARTICIPANTS
- The Secretary
- Ambassador Rifai, Chief Jordanian Delegate to UN General Assembly
- NE—Stuart W. Rockwell
- NE—William C. Lakeland
During a general discussion of the situation in Jordan, the Secretary inquired whether the UAR economic blockade of Jordan had been lifted. Ambassador Rifai replied that although he had received repeated assurances that the ban on transit of goods through UAR territory and overflights by Jordanian aircraft would be lifted, the physical blockade was still in effect. He cited a recent letter from Secretary General Hammarskjold containing assurances that the UAR had promised to lift the blockade. The Ambassador felt that Nasser’s failure to carry out these promises to date indicated bad faith on his part. He said that Dr. Fawzi had implied that some Lebanese Ministers were objecting to the lifting of the blockade at the instigation of Syrian elements who were against the improvement of relations with Jordan.
This led Ambassador Rifai to comment that it would appear at present that only Syria was the source of trouble for Jordan. The situation in Lebanon seemed to be much improved; Iraq was not causing difficulties; Jordan was on good terms with Saudi Arabia, where the King seemed to be improving his position, and even Cairo [Page 612] gave evidence of a desire for better relations. He was hopeful that in the future Jordan could be a stabilizing influence in the area. In this, Jordan relied upon US aid and would continue to do so.
The Ambassador wondered whether the Secretary would care to put some additional pressure on the UAR with respect to lifting the blockade of Jordan. The UK troops were withdrawing, the Secretary General had given assurances that the UAR was going to remove its restrictions, and Jordan did not wish to disrupt the present trend by renewing the propaganda war.
When the Secretary expressed some doubt as to what he might be able to do, especially since our own relations with the UAR were not of the best, the Ambassador urged that the United States put in a word with the Secretary General urging him to renew his efforts at securing full UAR compliance with the Arab resolution. The Secretary replied that he saw no reason why we couldn’t speak to Mr. Hammarskjold along these lines and indicated that appropriate steps would be taken through Ambassador Lodge.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 785.00/10–1558. Confidential. Drafted by Lakeland. See footnote 1, supra.↩