226. Telegram From the Embassy in Jordan to the Department of State0
503. Department telegram 486.1 Met with King Hussein noon 28th at Defense Ministry where Hussein interrupted consultations with military officials in order receive me without delay.
I took opportunity review import recent Talbot-Cleveland-Lincoln White statements re U.S. attitude towards Jordan and also convey to him sense paragraph 2, Department telegram 471.2 King expressed genuine appreciation.
I next raised subject Spinelli’s visit here per instructions paragraph 1 reference telegram. After carefully considering matter, Hussein’s reaction [Page 493] was “at least at this time” against GOJ taking initiative in calling Spinelli to Jordan. He had no objection, in fact thought it good idea, if Spinelli would visit Jordan on his own initiative in near future. King did not however want create public impression in this or in other ways Jordan prematurely seeking outside help in order surmount present difficulties. Believed there still good chance Jordan could ride out present storms without major outside assistance and thought it very much in interest his regime do it this way if possible. Remainder of meeting taken up with matter being separately reported.
Comment: Embassy fully concurs in Hussein’s position re Spinelli’s visit. As Department aware “U.N. presence” continues be maintained here through U.N. Official Taylor Shore who resident in Amman, with permanently staffed, continually operating office, for purpose representing Spinelli in latter’s absence. Shore had been planning take vacation but confirmed this morning that UN headquarters had instructed him defer these plans for at least two months. In response my query, Shore expressed opinion Spinelli likely visit Amman in near future, but not until after Secretary General’s May 1–2 visit Geneva.
Embassy considers Spinelli’s early presence here would be helpful. Spinelli has maintained close working relationships with our respective Embassies and has responded similar requests in past.
While considerable tension remains in situation here, recent relative absence public disorders, together with other surface indicators, tend suggest possibility that immediate threat internal turbulence may, for time being, be subsiding. We not yet, of course, in position state this with certainty. For moment, however, believe we should be careful avoid upsetting this apparent trend by giving possibly exaggerated impression lack of confidence on part U.S.-U.K. in its ability handle present situation. Hence, while we believe both public and unpublicized actions taken recently by U.S.G. for purpose buttressing Jordanian stability and integrity have been both necessary and extremely helpful, we would now suggest additional actions this regard be held in abeyance pending further clarification situation.
In meantime we urge contingency planning along lines indicated recent Departmental messages continue. Even if Embassy’s present tentative hopes for improvement immediate situation materialize, we continue feel that similar difficulties may recur in relatively near future.
U.K. colleague concurs in foregoing and making similar comments to Foreign Office.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–1 JORDAN. Top Secret; Operational Immediate. Repeated to USUN, Geneva, Cairo, Beirut, Tel Aviv, London, Damascus, Baghdad, and Jerusalem.↩
- Dated April 27. (Ibid., POL 26 JORDAN)↩
- Paragraph 2 of telegram 471 to Amman, April 21, instructed Macomber to tell King Hussein that no credence should be given to a recent article in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz alleging that the United States was encouraging King Hussein’s abdication and Jordanian adherence to the United Arab Republic. Macomber was also to assure Hussein once again “of continued USG support for stability of regime and for Jordan’s continued independence and integrity.” (Ibid., POL 15–1 JORDAN)↩