374. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel1
107579. 1. Under Secretary saw Ambassador Harman morning 22nd to inform him that US agreement provide additional arms Jordan would be announced at 10:00 p.m.2 He noted difficulty of balancing [Page 733] between King Hussein’s need to maximize our effort publicly and Israel’s desire to see it minimized.
2. Under Secretary said package as described earlier except for very small number additional light arms such as M–1 rifles and machine guns.
3. The King was committed to hold his increase in forces to 3,000 men and has agreed one year from now to re-examine need for these additional troops.
4. King has assured us he will continue his moderate policies and measures to enhance area stability including efforts to prevent terrorist infiltration into Israel.
5. King has guaranteed that he will do his best to keep foreign Arab troops out of Jordan, although he stressed he could not make an absolute guarantee that he would be successful.
6. Ambassador Harman thought reaction in Israel would be low-key, although this would depend somewhat on the level of publicity given the agreement here and in the area. The action would not of course be welcomed. GOI, in fact, thought we were doing more than circumstances required.
7. Nevertheless, GOI understood our position and welcomed (a) the candor with which we have dealt with them on this problem; hoped this would continue on all matters; (b) King’s determination to continue moderate policies; (c) continuance of efforts control terrorism; and (d) our assurances that we would be helpful to Israel on border control equipment and other matters.
8. Harman said he returning this weekend to Jerusalem to participate in discussion of general balance in the area. He thought that GOI comment on Jordan deal would be limited to statement along lines that matter would be studied and if military imbalance involved, Israel would move to correct it.
9. Harman suggested it would be useful if fact that no tanks or additional aircraft are involved could be leaked to press here. Also, he hoped that no reference to Israeli knowledge of or acquiescence in package would be made.
10. In later conversation with Davies, Minister Evron said Israeli Consul General New York had been fully briefed yesterday and instructed to allay concern among Jewish community leaders. Since Harman proceeding Israel via Miami Beach, we assume he will contact others of leadership there.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, DEF 19–8 US–JORDAN. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Drafted by Davies, cleared by Handley, and approved by Katzenbach.↩
- The texts of the announcement and a background briefing given by a Department of State spokesman on December 22 are in circular telegram 107544, December 22. (Ibid.) The text of the announcement is identical to that in telegram 1572 from Amman (see footnote 6, Document 373).↩