Office of the Historian

279. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan1

Washington, September 20, 1970, 2235Z.

154431. 1. The British Ambassador has called urgently to state that his understanding of appeal which King has made to HMG is that UK [Page 771] undertake airstrike against invading Syrian forces.2 From your reporting we had not repeat not been aware that King had made such request of British nor is it clear that King in his appeal to us for USG assistance3 had specifically in mind a US airstrike.

2. Please clarify this urgently.

Rogers
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–9 JORDAN. Secret; Flash; Exdis. Drafted and approved by Seelye. It was repeated Flash to London.↩
  2. Telegram 7568 from London, September 20, 1242Z, reported that the King contacted the British Embassy in Amman to request assistance. (Ibid., Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 619, Country Files, Middle East, Jordan Crisis)↩
  3. Reported in telegram 4951 from Amman, September 20, 0720Z. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–9 JORDAN)↩