154. Telegram From the Embassy in Jordan to the Department of State1
486. Deptel 473—Jordan Arms.2
King Hussein phoned residence late evening February 18 during farewell party for Eqs and requested EmbOff call on him that night. In subsequent conversation he said he had not been able avoid arms question in conversations with Nasser but had had lengthy discussions on subject and had finally told Nasser truth about where USG-GOJ negotiations stood as result of Talbot visit. He said discussions with Nasser had not been easy and had involved separate talks with Ali Amer and UAC. He felt his argument about dangers of polarization had little if any impact on Nasser and final resolution of conflicting positions had only been achieved with greatest difficulty.
Factor which influenced discussions was UAR assessment of present German-Israeli arms package (septel), but key issue on Jordan arms build-up was supersonics. He and Nasser agreed they did not want to do anything which would contribute to Israeli pressure on USG to sell 104s to Israel. On other hand they understood such a sale already [Page 339] consummated through Germans. However if we could give assurances 104s would not be sold to Israel during period of present agreement, he would withdraw request for 104s and ask for our help on Mirage. Nasser concurred in this. Remaining problem would be finance since Nasser insisted there would be no more UAC money and Jordan must acquire its arms within funds currently pledged for this purpose.
King then handed EmbOff letter to Ambassador3 which in summary makes following points with request they be transmitted urgently to Washington:
- 1.
- Requests he be informed ASAP of accuracy of report he has received that recent German-Israeli arms agreement includes number of American Honest John surface-to-surface missiles.
- 2.
- Requests we confirm willingness to discuss, subsequent to concluding agreement covered by draft memorandum of understanding, supply of second increment of 100 tanks of M48A3 type with 105 mm gun.
- 3.
- States that if USG confirms that no aircraft of 104 series of US or free world manufacture has been sold to Israel, if we reaffirm our policy to deny such aircraft to both Israel and Arabs for at least duration of present agreement, then Jordan will limit its request to USG assistance in acquiring free world aircraft of type at last equal to Mirage III.
- 4.
- Reaffirms intention to fulfill arms requirements from free world sources so long as such equipment is made available to Jordan.
- 5.
- Reaffirms “commitments under agreement of joint Arab defense of Arab League through which UAC developed.”
Letter closes with request for earliest possible reply. Text by pouch.
Comment: In view of intelligence given Hussein re FRG-Israeli arms agreement, believe it would be useful supply as many facts as possible in addition to point (1) above.