684A.85/2–153: Telegram
No. 553
The Ambassador in Jordan (Green) to the Department of State1
priority
619. While I was absent on west bank for purpose of visiting front line villages, including Aqalama [Falama?], village attacked January 23 and January 29 by Israeli forces. Lynch was summoned to Foreign Office 10 a.m. January 31 and in absence of Prime Minister who is ill was received by Anwar Nuseibeh Minister of Defense and Ihsan Hashem Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs.
[Page 1111]Nuseibeh stated HKJ talks extremely serious view of present situation along border and stressed urgency of his representations. Whereas HKJ making every effort avoid incidents, Israel launching organized attacks by regular troops inside Jordan territory. These could only be result top level decisions by GOI. He was at loss to explain Israeli attacks but suggested Israel had enough confidence in Zionist propaganda machine to feel sure that fact of Israeli aggression should be obscured. Suggested possibility of GOI intention to cause curtailment arms shipments to Arab States but felt such attacks should in fact serve to emphasize to any impartial observer need of Arab States for more arms in order defend themselves and maintain stability in area.
Nuseibeh reminded Lynch of responsibility of US under tripartite declaration. He stated he considered Israeli attacks sufficiently serious and flagrant to warrant invocation of declaration but he did not specifically request invocation. Nuseibeh admitted Arab infiltration but stated infiltration by civilians was not in any way comparable to Israeli organized armed attacks carried out with machine guns, mortars and mines. Furthermore he said Jordan Government making every effort prevent infiltration.
Nuseibeh said he felt US had moral responsibility force Israel terminate aggressions and he knew that US could if it wished bring sufficient pressure on Israel to force Israel to do so.
He added “we know these people are your protegés. You put them there. You can control them if you want.”
He assured Lynch HKJ wants no trouble with Israel. “We want stability and so do you.” He stated Lynch could have no conception increased hatred toward Israel engendered by attacks and tenseness of situation in areas involved. They made chance of settlement between countries more remote.
Conversation between Lynch on one hand and Nuseibeh and Hashem on the other was conducted with extreme formality apparently in effort to emphasize great concern with which Jordan views situation. As indication of atmosphere of conversation Hashem addressed Lynch as “Mr.” for first time in 18 years of intimate friendship.
Deptel 5792 was received subsequent meeting described above. Lynch immediately called again on Foreign Office and conveyed sense that telegram to Hashem. Hashem said that Prime Minister would be encouraged by fact that Israeli aggression apparently recognized by US Government for first time.
Walker, British First Secretary in absence of British Ambassador summoned to Foreign Office between Lynch’s two conversations. [Page 1112] He afterwards informed Lynch Nuseibeh’s approach to him was on somewhat different lines. Tripartite declaration not mentioned in his interview but Jordan UK treaty of alliance was strongly emphasized and following specific suggestions were made: (1) Immediate visit to Jordan of British Commander in Chief Middle East; (2) meeting of UK Jordan joint defense board; (3) increase in number British troops in Jordan. Walker said Nuseibeh pointed out that Aqaba only place in country where there are now British troops was hardly satisfactory base for assistance to country in event of Israeli invasion. He suggested troops also be stationed Mafrazin Northeast Jordan.