Office of the Historian

85. Oral Message From President Johnson to King Hussein1

Washington, undated.

ORAL PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO KING HUSSEIN

Your recent visit to Washington underlined the deep and cordial ties between Jordan and the U.S. For me personally, the visit was an occasion to take stock of the progress that has been achieved in Jordan under your wise leadership and to reaffirm the close relationships between our two countries. I felt your friendship for the US and sensed in turn your appreciation of the factors underlying our policies toward Jordan. I particularly appreciated the truth of your assurances to Ambassador Macomber several months ago that in Jordan’s own interest there could be no basic change in our relations growing out of the exchange of Ambassadors between Jordan and the Soviet Union.

No one is in a better position than Your Majesty to understand the sincerity of US interest in a fully independent and progressive Jordan. Our support has been proven over time. It is because I know you understand our great stake in Jordan’s continued stability and progress that I want to raise with you may concern over recent developments that could adversely affect Jordan’s very integrity. We understand your present problem regarding arms for Jordan. We desire to help you face it—sensibly and realistically—in ways which will preserve our happy relationship and not jeopardize your interests or ours.

So I have asked Ambassador Barnes to review with you my concerns in the fullest confidence and candor. He will speak frankly on my behalf and I shall welcome from Your Majesty a similarly frank and friendly response.

  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, DEF 12–5 JORDAN. Confidential. Filed as an attachment to telegram 80 to Amman, August 8, which transmitted the text of the message and instructed the Ambassador to deliver it when he met with the King to discuss Jordan’s arms requests. A note on the message in Komer’s handwriting states that it was approved by the President at 2:20 p.m. on August 8. The original message, drafted in the Department of State and only slightly revised, is also attached to telegram 80.↩