ISTANBUL (Nov. 17)
In a move aimed at gaining Jordan adherence to the Western-sponsored Bagdad Pact, Turkish President Celal Bayar pledged military support to Jordan if it is attacked. Inspecting Arab Legion units along the Israel-Jordan border, the Turkish President said: “Don’t be surprised to see the Turkish Army and the Arab Legion fighting side by side against the aggressor if Jordan is attacked.”
Diplomatic circles here see this as both a move to gain Jordan adherence to the pact and a warning to Israel. The President’s words were taken to be merely a restatement of principles which Turkey accepted when the Bagdad Pact was born. However, diplomatic of servers feel that Turkey, tied into the NATO organization, would find it difficult to fulfill a pledge such as enunciated by President Bayar.
