785.00/6–2750
The Minister in Jordan (Drew) to the Secretary of State
No. 109
Subject: Political Situation in Jordan
I enclose a memorandum of an interview with King Abdullah on June 24.1 Despite the fact that the King must be under a considerable strain caused by the fast of Ramadan, he did not display any signs of nervousness or fatigue. In fact, he was in good form, breathing a considerable amount of fire and brimstone in discussing Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which he described as “snakes and scorpions”. He devoted a considerable part of the interview to a rambling exposé of his views of geopolitics in this part of the world, all designed to bolster his well-known Greater Syria scheme.
The King was feeling very smug about what he considered his “victory” over the Arab League. He did not seem to realize that his “victory” was in large measure made possible by the support received from Iraq and that withdrawal of such support at a future meeting of the League could result in Jordan’s expulsion. There is no question that he considers the unification of Palestine with Jordan as an irrevocable fact and he displayed no slightest disposition to compromise it.
During the week ending June 24, His Majesty received a visit from a Mr. Quimper, understood to be a representative in Jerusalem of the PCC. It is reported that Mr. Quimper urged His Majesty to take advantage of the latest proposal of the PCC with regard to resumption of peace negotiations with Israel. Possibly prompted by this visit, His Majesty summoned his Cabinet and instructed it to get on with negotiations with Israel. According to reliable accounts, the Cabinet met and agreed unanimously that the time was not suitable for resumption of negotiations. The King is understood to have considered dismissing the Cabinet, but on reflection, to have renounced the idea, stating to the Prime Minister and other Cabinet members that the responsibility for the continuance of the present state of affairs must rest with them.
King Abdullah undoubtedly realized that it would be next to impossible at this juncture to find any worthwhile politician willing or able to form a Cabinet committed to making peace with Israel. As the Department well knows, the recent series of border incidents, particularly that of Wadi Araba, in which Israel, at least in the opinion of Jordanians, has been the aggressor, has created a most unfavorable [Page 942] atmosphere for such talks. Furthermore, the very recent flurry in the Arab League over unification is another potent factor militating against any peace talks for the time being at least, if held by Jordan alone, and the Legation is not aware of any disposition on the part of any other Arab state to join with Jordan in such talks.
I might add my own opinion that the Cabinet is absolutely right. I think it would be a serious mistake for the King to force the issue and undertake negotiations with Israel just now. This opinion is shared by my British and French colleagues. It would be an equally serious mistake for any of us to urge such talks on the King.
I am reliably informed that when the King visited Jerusalem some two weeks ago, several contacts were made there with Shiloah and possibly other Israeli officials. His Majesty cannot resist the temptation to have contacts with Israeli officials and he delights in keeping them secret from his own people. When the King first saw Shiloah in Amman on April 25 (Legtel 84, April 26, 1:00 PM and Legtel 90, May 3, 8:00 PM), he for the first time held out on Sir Alec Kirkbride. When I happened to see His Majesty the morning after the meeting, he gave me no hint that it had taken place. We must regard this as a more or less normal state of affairs. I do not attribute any significance to the resumption of such talks and Israeli officials would be well advised to evaluate them in their true light. Before announcement of the visit of the Regent of Iraq, who arrived in Amman June 26, King Abdullah planned to spend the better part of this week in Jerusalem. He undoubtedly had in mind further meetings with Israeli officials. Presumably the visit to Jerusalem will take place after the departure of Abdul-Illah and presumably one or more meetings will be held in Jerusalem or elsewhere.
To summarize, apart from the flurry of last week described above, the local political scene is in something of a dead center due largely to the fast of Ramadan and the recess of Parliament. It looks as though the Cabinet has the upper hand, at least with respect to negotiations with Israel, and no change in the Government is in prospect for the time being.
- Not printed.↩