Office of the Historian

233. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan0

Washington, April 2, 1962, 7:09 p.m.

336. Embtel 463.1 Your statements to King and PriMin accurately represent Department’s thinking. Suggest at next reiteration these [Page 574] views you emphasize you acting under instructions. If you believe desirable, you may add Jordanian intervention likely lead to tragic consequence for Jordan. U.S. unwilling support such Jordanian action and would find it necessary make public disavowal.

Although we recognize reasons PriMin regards developments as potential threat to Jordan, we have no evidence overt external intervention involved or contemplated. We consider Syrian situation as internal matter to be resolved by Syrians themselves. We cannot agree re-emergence Nasser control or influence in Syria would presage Jordan’s demise.

U.S. desires exert whatever calming influence possible in situation, but unwilling become otherwise involved as requested by PriMin.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 783.00/4–263. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by Walstrom (NEA/NE), cleared by Barrow and Strong, and approved by Talbot. Repeated to Damascus, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Cairo, London, Beirut, Baghdad, and Ankara.↩
  2. Document 232.↩