Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED 12065, Sec. 3-402 July 23, 1951 State Dept. E.O. Guidelines, March 9-5-86 6, 1982 SECRET By DEB NLT, Date SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS NEAR EAST Our Embassy in Baghdad reports that an inde- - terminate but unmistakable tension has been built up in Iraq resulting from the assassination of the Lebanese former Prime Minister at Amman and the subsequent rioting at Beirut, and that this now has been exacerbated by the murder of King Abdullah. The Embassy believes these events will have a marked effect on the current oil negotiation in Iraq as responsible Iraqi leaders are becoming more apprehensive of extremists elements. The Ambassador says that sensi- tivity is high and recommends that representation on any controversial matters, especially pertaining to Jews, should be avoided until the ten- sion subsides. The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs told our Ambassador in Cairo that the Egyptian Government is distressed over the Abdullah assassination and fears complications. Our Minister in Amman, in reporting the proclamation of Prince Naif, second son of the late king as regent, has informed us that all is quiet in Amman. The foreign legations are under strong military guard. Our Consul General in Jerusalem has reported that the Arab legion is controlling the city and that there have been no serious disturbances. SPAIN In reporting an interview between members of the Congressional delegation which is now in Europe and President Auriol of France, our Embassy in Paris reports that, while Auriol said he could only express a personal opinion regarding Spain, the gist of his statement was that France would probably accept a military alliance with Spain and its inclusion in NATO if and when Facist Franco ceased to be head of state and not before. USSR Ambassador Kirk in Moscow reports that when he and the British Ambassador called on Gromyko with the joint note regarding our proposal to sign a peace treaty with Japan,