164. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Rountree) to the Secretary of State1
SUBJECT
- U. S. Position on Middle East Problems
Discussion:
Recent hostilities in the Middle East have contributed to producing a new and alarming situation in the area. The general British and French position has been gravely affected. Soviet prestige and influence, particularly in Syria and Egypt, have attained disturbing proportions, and an excellent opportunity exists for the USSR to move politically into the vacuum which has been created by the recent and drastic decline in Western authority in the Middle East. Jordan and Saudi Arabia might also be affected once Syria and Egypt fall under strong Soviet influence.
The situation in the Middle East cannot be allowed to drift. The United States is the only Western power which can provide effective leadership to combat Soviet influence and to revive and strengthen Middle Eastern ties with the West. We must accept and discharge this responsibility.
In considering what steps we might take we have been reassessing the United States’ relationship with the Baghdad Pact. We have considered the wisdom of 1) U.S. adherence to the Pact and perhaps alter its nature in such a way as to make it more acceptable to other states in the area, thus increasing its scope and effectiveness in stiffening the Middle East against Soviet penetration and 2) a new grouping of Middle East states in an organization in which the United States would be an active participant. This latter proposal is the subject of a separate memorandum (Tab B).2
We have reached no conclusion as to which of these alternatives, or whether either of them, would be the best basis upon which we should proceed. As you know, there are strong proponents and equally strong opponents of each alternative. Perhaps it would be wise before reaching a decision as to what steps the United States should take with respect to the Baghdad Pact for you to discuss the matter [Page 392] with the British in view of the major role which the U.K. has played in the past and because of the present British interest in the area. British prestige, although badly damaged in the Middle East, continues to be of importance throughout the world and its support for U.S. policy will therefore be highly desirable, if not essential. During the course of the forthcoming NATO meeting in Paris there will be opportunities for discussion with the British. During this period it will also become clearer how events are shaping up in Egypt and whether the UN is in firm control of the situation, which will have an important bearing on future U.S. action in other parts of the area.
Depending upon the conclusions reached following your discussion with the British, we have in mind a subsequent approach to the Middle East members of the Pact and other appropriate states regarding future steps. The United States would indicate its intention to assume a more prominent role in the Middle East and would state that it was giving consideration as to how it could best associate itself with the states of the area.
For purposes of convenience, there are attached short summaries of papers relating to possible U.S. adherence to the Baghdad Pact and to a new grouping of Middle Eastern states, together with other documents bearing upon these subjects (Tabs A–G).3
Recommendation:
That you discuss in confidence, with U.K. representatives at Paris,4 possible U.S. adherence to the Baghdad Pact and/or the creation of a new and expanded area organization.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 780.00/12–756. Top Secret. Drafted by Rountree.↩
- Tab B is a summary of Tab A to Document 160.↩
- Tab A is a summary of Tab A to Document 145; Tab C is a summary of Henderson’s memorandum, Document 162; Tab D is a summary of Murphy’s December 3 memorandum, Document 157, retyped and dated December 6; Tab E is a summary of Secretary of Defense Wilson’s December 4 letter to Secretary Dulles, Document 159; Tab F is a two-page summary of telegrams from Embassies overseas reporting reactions to the November 29 U.S. statement on the Baghdad Pact; and Tab G is the text of the U.S. statement, Document 152. Also attached as Tab H is the text of the Baghdad Pact.↩
- A handwritten marginal notation in the margin of the source text in an unidentified hand reads: “not French.”↩