784A.00/12–1350: Telegram
The Chargé in Israel (Ford) to the Secretary of State
350. Shiloah told me December 13 he saw King Abdullah Shuni1 Palace night December 12 King’s invitation. Said King accompanied only by his personal physician but that His Majesty assured Shiloah Samir Rifai fully aware meeting and could not attend only because detained in Parliament. Shiloah said King eminently cordial.
Shiloah said he denied strongly reported Israel plane circling over King’s Palace and believed he had convinced King of story’s untruth. Shiloah said otherwise no specific problems dealt with but that he in something of professorial role outlined to King his recent travels to London, Lake Success, Washington et cetera, which enabled him to bring fresh news from outside world on which King possibly [Page 1076] not fully advised and enunciated his belief to King that western powers not as much interested in an individual nation’s pronouncements of democracy as in the nation’s actions in supporting democracy and in preserving peace and stability.
King’s reaction to these platitudes not indicated. Shiloah said His Majesty professed himself as being far more reassured re ME situation than 4 months ago and that presence of Samir Rifai as active participant in government rather than mere observer one of strongest elements his reassurance.
Shiloah said no specific date set for next meeting but that King indicated he proposed consult advisers and would inform Shiloah of prospects for another meeting possibly within fortnight.
Comment: impossible gauge actual significance this secret meeting from Shiloah’s guarded remarks. He obviously has soft spot in his heart for King Abdullah but whether this encounter like most of its predecessors was more of social call than meeting of minds remains to be seen. In any event it represents renewal of personal contact between two reasonably imaginative men and in delicate circumstances now prevailing warrants careful nurturing. End comment.
Department pass Amman Jerusalem London Paris sent Department 350 repeated information Amman 37 Jerusalem 27 London 79 Paris 41.
- Alternate spelling of Shuneh.↩