Office of the Historian

125. Minutes of a Washington Special Actions Group Meeting1

Washington, June 11, 1970, 2:53–3:40 p.m.

SUBJECT

  • Jordan

PARTICIPATION

  • Chairman—Henry A. Kissinger
  • State
  • Mr. U. Alexis Johnson
  • Mr. Joseph J. Sisco
  • Amb. Harrison Symmes
  • Defense
  • Mr. David Packard
  • Mr. Robert Pranger
  • JCS
  • Adm. Thomas H. Moorer
  • Col. Marvin C. Kettlehut
  • CIA
  • Mr. Richard Helms
  • Mr. David Blee
  • NSC Staff
  • Mr. Harold Saunders
  • Gen. Alexander Haig
  • Mr. D. Keith Guthrie
[Page 433]

SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS

The WSAG received a report of action taken to evacuate American nationals from Jordan and agreed that first priority should be given to arranging evacuation under the auspices of the International Red Cross (ICRC). Admiral Moorer outlined planning for possible military action to support an evacuation if the international effort fails or if order in Amman breaks down completely. Two scenarios are to be drawn up covering possible military action (1) to support an evacuation or (2) to intervene in Jordan in response to a request from King Hussein for help against outside intervention. The scenarios will specify troop requirements and the likely duration of the military operations and will include a full discussion of relevant political factors. The State Department will submit immediately a memorandum listing steps taken and planned to protect American citizens in Jordan.

[Omitted here are the minutes of the meeting.]

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–114, Washington Special Actions Group, WSAG Minutes (Originals) 1969 and 1970. Top Secret; Nodis. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room.↩