Office of the Historian

1. Telegram From the Embassy in Jordan to the Department of State2

Amman, February 7, 1955—2 p.m.

239. With most developments Turk-Iraqi pact3 and inter-Arab relations apparently temporarily over except for shouting, Jordan’s position continues one of caution and balance dictated by her position of economic and military weakness although basically she is oriented to West and present government at least favors Iraq initiative.

Prime Minister in frank discussion with Turkish Minister stated his expectation withdrawal or disinterest (since technically for 7 years yet no state can withdraw) of Egypt from ALCSP. This will entail break up Arab League and realignment of individual Arab states. Most probable result will be adherence Turkey Iraqi arrangement and further development with Western powers. Lebanese expected act first and Prime Minister stated Jordan certainly not the last.

Believe Abulhuda while cautious has been consistent and firm. Am quite prepared believe Foreign Minister Walid Salah has been ineffective or troublesome at Cairo…. However in recent days Prime Minister has sent him precise and firm instructions on basis of full cabinet decisions.

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King Hussein yesterday said privately he likely journey Baghdad next weekend. I had made appointment for Eric Johnston with him tomorrow which in view Johnston’s delay have arranged to keep personally and will endeavor guide his thinking.4 The King at this juncture is likely torn between family ties with Iraq and past Saudi largesse.

Mallory
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 780.5/2–;755. Secret. Repeated to Cairo, Baghdad, Jidda, Beirut, Damascus, Tel Aviv, Ankara, London, and Tripoli.↩
  2. Reference is to the proposed military alliance between Turkey and Iraq. On February 24 Turkey and Iraq signed at Baghdad a Pact of Mutual Cooperation. For text, see 233 UNTS 199. The Pact was adhered to by the United Kingdom on April 5, by’ Pakistan on September 23, and by Iran on November 3.↩
  3. Eric Johnston, the President’s Personal Representative with the rank of Ambassador, had been working since his appointment in October 1953 to obtain agreement among the riparian states—Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Israel—for the development and utilization of the Jordan River basin. For documentation on the Johnston Missions to the Near East, see Foreign Relations, 1952–1954, vol. IX, Part 1, pp. 1345 ff.↩