The Press TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1957. The Plight of Jordan

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28254, 16 April 1957, Page 12

The Press TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1957. The Plight of Jordan

A little more than a year ago, Jordan looked as secure as any State in the Middle East; today,

many observers are very dubious about Jordan’s chances of enjoying independence in future. The Arab Legion was a reliable guardian of internal order and external security so long as British officers were able to keep it free from the intrigues of Jordanian politics. After a year in which the higher ranks of the Legion have played politics, it is not surprising to read reports that units of the Legion have been engaged in internecine strife. Economically, there are few more hopeless countries in the world than Jordan thrown on to its own resources. Economic security was possible while the country’s finances were buttressed by substantial British subsidies—which the Jordanians could count on regularly on the due date—and by United States Point IV funds for development. Jordan today has little reason for confidence that Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia will keep their promises to replace the British subsidies. Jordan’s integrity as a free, independent State was guaranteed by its treaty with Britain; today, Jordan stands in danger of becoming a prey to the rivalries of its neighbours. Jordan’s decline has been clearly marked by events. The dismissal of Glubb Pasha in March last year was followed by the October General Election which placed coteries, chiefly of Palestinians, some friendly and some hostile to Egypt, within reach of power. The final battle had still to be fought out. jordan remained quiet during the debacle of Egyptian arms in Sinai But when President Nasser sped from military disaster to spectacular diplomatic success the scales were tilted decisively. The treaty with Britain was unilaterally abrogated by the Jordanian' Government, which

proclaimed confederation with Egypt and Syria as its objective. Tension between the Cabinet and the King grew as the Cabinet of Mr Nabulsi became more and more involved with Egypt and Syria, and less and less careless about Communist infiltration into Jordan, particularly among the Palestinians of the left bank. More than once King Hussein put out an official warning against communism, “ which could destroy “ the fruits' of the long struggle “ for liberation Deeds followed words. The circulation of Russian Tass bulletins was stopped. But Mr Nabulsi persisted with a pro-Communist policy, and a break with the King finally came when the Cabinet decided to establish diplomatic relations with Russia. Last Wednesday, King Hussein asked for Mr Nabulsi’s resignation. For a day or two the politicians obstructed the King’s efforts to form a new Cabinet; and then, apparently, two elements sought recourse to the authority of the Arab Legion. Although strict censorship has permitted little news from Jordan about the subsequent course of events, it appears that the Legion, or at least the greater part of it, has remained loyal to King Hussein, who, with this support, controls the situation for the time being. So little is known about the strength of the respective sides or about the fundamental loyalties of the Legion that the outcome cannot be foreseen. Nor can the weight of outside influences easily be judged. Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq are all closely interested; and each has an eye on Israeli interest in a country whose frontiers march with those of Israel for 350 uneasy miles. The close interest of these countries will be shared by the bigger Powers who appreciate that what is going on in Jordan could profoundly affect all the major issues in the Middle East.