Office of the Historian

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

Washington, May 25, 1956—8:39 p.m.

2147. Embtel 12642 and Deptel 1999.3 You authorized inform GOL Department will approve sale 24 recoilless rifles and ammunition in reftels and is requesting Defense make them available as soon as possible upon receipt formal request from GOL and completion [Page 192] financial arrangements under March 1953 reimbursable aid agreement.4

FYI: In order minimize embarrassment from publicity Embassy might discreetly suggest to GOL that matter not be made public until after shipment. End FYI.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 783A.5–MSP/4–1356. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Boardman; cleared in draft with Lakeland and in substance with Dulles; and approved by Rountree.↩
  2. In telegram 1264, April 13, Heath reported, inter alia, that General Chehab, Chief of Staff of the Lebanese Army, informed the U.S. Army Attaché of the Lebanese Army’s urgent need for 24 recoilless 105mm or 106mm rifles for defensive purposes, and 50 to 100 pounds of ammunition per gun. Heath said Chehab indicated price would be no problem. (Ibid.)↩
  3. In telegram 1999, May 7, the Department gave the Embassy price figures on the 105mm guns and shells, and said that a high-level Defense decision was expected soon. (Ibid., 783A.5–MSP/5–356)↩
  4. The Embassy received a letter of request for 25 106mm rifles, spare parts, and ammunition from General Chehab on June 2. (Telegram 1565 from Beirut, June 2; Ibid., 783A.5–MSP/6–256) The sale was completed with full payment in cash on October 19. (Memorandum from Waggoner to Finn, November 21; Ibid., 783A.561/ 11–2156)↩