241. Editorial Note
On May 8 and 9, 1963, U.S. and U.K. representatives met in the Department of State to study a range of contingencies in regard to Jordan. The two sides agreed on a contingency paper on an ad referendum basis and decided to hold joint military talks at the Pentagon, which took place on May 11. (Memorandum from Killgore to Kettelhut, July 2; Department of State, NEA/NE Files: Lot 66 D 278, Jordan, AID) A draft contingency paper, prepared in the Department of State prior to the meeting and transmitted to the White House on May 6, is in the Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Jordan, 5/63–11/63. The agreed joint U.S.-U.K. contingency paper for Jordan and a separate paper on the role of the United Nations in a possible Jordanian crisis are attached to a memorandum from Cleveland to Ambassador Stevenson, May 17. (Ibid., Central Files, DEF 1–1 JORDAN)
Subsequently, at the United Kingdom’s suggestion, the United States agreed to include French representatives in discussions that took place at the United Nations in New York in late May on possible U.N. actions during a hypothetical Jordanian crisis. Documentation is ibid.