Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XVIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1964–1967

275. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Jordan¹

Washington, February 23, 1966, 7:13 p.m.

393. Your 504.² Syrian Coup.

1. Please convey following at appropriate level:

A. We have no evidence Communist involvement February 23 coup. Information available to us indicates coup result of inter-Baath party rivalries growing out of recent governmental changes.

B. We would strongly advise against any intervention by Jordan, particularly intervention armed forces.

C. We keeping situation under close scrutiny and endorse idea of full exchange of information on continuing basis.

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–9 SYR. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Marshall W. Wiley of NEA/NE; cleared by Symmes, Russell, and Davies; and approved by Hare.
2. Telegram 504 from Amman, February 23, reported Barnes’ meeting with King Hussein and Prime Minister Tell about the coup that had taken place that morning in Syria, which, according to Jordanian information, was Communist-oriented. The King told Barnes that either a Communist takeover or civil strife resulting in chaos in Syria would threaten Jordan’s security and might force him to consider limited intervention. (Ibid.)