Inspired by Foreign Secretary Bevin’s announcement that the British Government intends to recommend complete independence for Transjordan, King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia submitted a demand to Britain requesting that some Transjordanian territory be coded to him for the purpose of creating a common frontier between Saudi Arabia and Syria, it was reliably reported here today.
The request threatens to upset the delicate balance the British have established among the Arab states by bringing them into the Arab League. Both Syria and Iraq are reported to be greatly concerned over Ibn Saud’s demand, since no common frontier between Saudi Arabia and Syria is possible except by establishing a corridor along the borderline of Iraq and Transjordan. Such a corridor would break the territorial link existing between Transjordan and Iraq, the rulers of which are members of the Heshemite family and sworn foes of Ibn Saud.
In addition to doing away with the common frontier between Transjordan and Iraq, the ruler of Saudi Arabia is also aiming at exercising greater pressure on Syria and at putting an end to the plans for a “Greater Syria” composed of Transjordan, Syria, Lobanon and Palestine. It is known that King Ibn Saud has long been opposed to this plan since it would bring the four countries into a federation under Hashemite rule.
Emir Abdullah, British puppet-ruler of Transjordan, is bitterly opposed to Ibn Saud’s latest demand and is expected to fight it vigorously during his forthcoming visit in London. Before his departure he is to confer with the Regent, Premier and Foreign Minister of Iraq on this question.
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