Office of the Historian

125. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Lebanon1

Washington, February 28, 1956—7:44 p.m.

1440. Ambassador Khoury stated to Dept February 25 he deduced from Foreign Relations Committee hearings February 242 all new applications for shipments arms to Near East being held under consideration. He inquired regarding possibility GOL obtaining reduced prices if applications eventually approved. Dept replied little possibility existed reduced prices but added GOL probably had better case for obtaining limited US arms than other Israel’s neighbors provided any shipments authorized.

Should you be approached by GOL regarding arms application you should indicate that developments since request submitted have altered public attitude re arms shipments to area to such an extent that it would be very difficult for USG to take favorable action at this time.3 Sales at reduced prices would be particularly difficult [Page 186] even under normal circumstances. You may indicate above applies equally to Israel and Arab states. Any changes in present situation presumably would affect both Israel and Arab states (Embtel 9784).

It does not appear necessary or desirable for you to take initiative in approaching GOL at this time. Above provided so that if GOL should inquire, you will be in position to discourage expectations of prompt favorable action and thereby avoid any grounds for belief US encouraging Lebanon to request American arms. Dept understands some GOL officials have expressed latter view informally.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 780.56/2–2856. Secret. Drafted by Burdett and Boardman and approved by Allen.↩
  2. On February 24, Secretary Dulles testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the situation in the Middle East.↩
  3. Besides the increasing tension between Egypt and Israel, the American public’s attitude toward arms shipments to the Middle East was affected by the publicity given earlier in the month to a shipment of 18 light tanks to Saudi Arabia. Pro-Israel pressure groups condemned the tank agreement, and numerous Congressmen also voiced objections.↩
  4. In telegram 978, February 25, Emmerson reported a conversation of that morning with President Chamoun, in which he told Chamoun, among other things, that arms sales to Arab States “inevitably increased pressure for arms to Israel.” Emmerson said that Chamoun then asked why, if Israel were given weapons, Lebanon could not receive the small amount of arms he had requested. (Department of State, Central Files, 783A.5–MSP/2–2556)↩