The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today adopted a mutual security bill amendment providing for curtailment of United States funds dishonestly used in Jordan. The amendment was introduced by Senator Albert Gore, Tennessee Democrat.
Senator Gore said he called Jordanian corruption to the attention of the Administration when he visited Jordan several months ago. But the Administration, seeking to shield Jordan, did nothing effective, said the Senator.
Senator Gore said the black market situation in ration cards for Arab refugees in Jordan was so bad that officials of the United Nations were beaten up when they dared question the validity of certain cards. Despite the beatings, the Government of Jordan refused to provide police protection to the UN personnel, Sen. Gore said.
The Foreign Relations Committee accepted Sen. Gore’s view that Jordan will preserve the corrupt status quo as long as outside financial support is continued. The amendment adopted provided that no U.S. funds will be made available for support of the ration program after January 1, 1961, except for the issuance of rations to those refugees whose eligibility had been established and certified after July 1, 1960.
Senator Gore revealed that the State Department and Administration “vigorously opposed the adoption of this amendment.” When Secretary Herter sought personally to soften the amendment, Sen. Gore said, the committee rejected the attempt.
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