U.S. Informs Israel About Arms For Jordan
(December 15, 1966)
This telegram summarizes the deal that the United
States made with Jordan regarding
supplying them arms.
Acting Secretary saw Ambassador Harman and Evron
14th to inform them of USG decision to respond to King Hussein's request
for aid by offering to supply small quantity arms. Package described
as between $6 and $7 million, less than 5% of what King had asked. General
description of items given when pressed by Israelis.
Harman said his government would be most concerned about supply of
artillery and repeatedly asked for details. Noted Eban's remark re tradition
of working closely to resolve problems and expressed hope same policy
would apply now. Stressed difficult psychological atmosphere existing
in Israel and danger of leak on proposal without prior joint planning,
particularly when Knesset in session. Acting Secretary indicated some
better idea of items involved would be given but stressed that even
considerably larger package would have no impact on military balance.
He said that Jordan's need for defense on border other than Israeli
could not be discounted. He pointed out the massive shopping list requested
is what Hussein and his military experts feel is absolutely necessary
to stabilize situation and we have task of working from list. We cannot
reject list in entirety and substitute only police equipment nor can
we delete principal items and achieve our objectives. These latter being:
(1) to permit continuance Jordanian policies of restraint and moderation,
particularly in connection with prevention of terrorist acts from Jordanian
territory, (2) to assist King in his efforts to keep other Arab troops
out of his country and, (3) to provide equipment of type not requiring
increase in force levels of Jordanian Army.
Davies seeing Evron 15th to discuss further nature of package./2/
/2/A summary of the conversation is in telegram 103654 to Tel Aviv,
December 15. (Ibid.)
Katzenbach
Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central
Files 1964-66, DEF 19-8 US-JORDAN. Secret. Drafted by Davies, cleared
by Handley, and approved by Katzenbach.
Sources: Foreign
Relations of the United States, 1964-1968, V. 18, Arab-Israeli
Dispute 1964-1967. DC: GPO,
2000. |