171. Telegram From the Embassy in Jordan to the Department of State1
5476.Subject: Message from King Hussein to Secretary Kissinger. Following message received for Secretary from King Hussein:
“Sir: After receiving your message2 and precisely at the end of the 48 hours you requested me to provide in helping your intensive efforts for a rapid solution to this tragic dilemma of madness and continued shedding of dear blood, our 40th Armored Brigade began to move and has arrived this morning at the Jordanian-Syrian border. Its moves from then on are to be slow and deliberate. I had no other option and had used them all. God give you the ability to play the vital role and bring these tragic developments to a rapid end.3
Sincerely, Hussein.”
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 618, Country Files, Middle East, Jordan, IX, January–October 1973. Secret; Flash; Nodis, Received at 9:55 a.m.↩
- See footnote 5, Document 150.↩
- On October 13, Hussein also sent a message to Meir informing her that he was holding back as best he could and that Jordanian military moves in the north were cautious and restrained. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 137, Country Files, Jordan/Rifai, January 3, 1973)↩