Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V

684A.85/4–850: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Legation in Jordan ¹

secret

Washington, April 8, 1950—1 p. m.

45. Tel Aviv tel 23, Apr 7 rptd Dept as 251.² Dept did not transmit to Tel Aviv info re Abdullah intentions resume talks with Israel for fol reasons:

1) Dept considered Abdullah has adequate means contact with Israelis and that it therefore was unnecessary and undesirable for US assume role intermediary. Reftel indicates King has been able convey his intentions Tel Aviv;

2) Since Israelis were already aware Abdullah intended resume talks after Jordan elections, Dept believed it not urgent that reaffirmation this intention be conveyed Tel Aviv at time when Jordan under strong attack in Arab League mtg for negotiating with Israel. Moreover, any recurrence past Tel Aviv press leaks at that particular moment wld have been especially harmful to Jordan’s position vis-à-ivis other Arab States and might have had adverse effect on future Jordan-Israeli talks.

Acheson

1. This telegram, presumably, was in response to telegram 64, April 3, p. 836. It was repeated to Tel Aviv.
2. This message from Ambassador McDonald stated that “Shiloah told me April 5 King had sent informal message through Drew via American Embassy Tel Aviv Israel Government indicating Jordan intention resume negotiations. Since no such message was received from Amman, Drew please comment.” 684A.85/4–750)