Office of the Historian

296. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Syria1

Washington, May 5, 1955—7:23 p.m.

612. Ambassador Malik stated to Dept May 42 following re Syria: He has received personal message from Faris el Khouri sent [Page 525] from Near East April 28 urging that all Arab countries and Western powers take immediate action prevent take over Syrian government by Communists. Malik asserts his independent assessment confirms Khouri’s fears eventual Communist seizure power by technique of common front. He believes Communist ASRP Combination likely win present struggle for power and urges drastic US action. Specifically Malik suggests public statement by Dept exposing subterranean power struggle Communist forces Syria and expressing US concern… .

Embassy comment requested.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 783.001/5–555. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Hart and Burdett and approved by Jernegan, who signed for Dulles. Repeated to Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, and Cairo, and pouched to Jidda, Tel Aviv, London, Paris, and Ankara.↩
  2. On May 4 Malik discussed the situation in Syria with Hart and Burdett, and on May 5 held separate conversations on the same subject with Secretary Dulles and again with Hart and Burdett. A summary of the May 4 conversation was sent to the Embassy in Damascus as telegram 612, May 5; ibid.,; the memorandum of the May 5 conversation with Dulles is ibid.,; 670.901/5–555; and the memorandum of the May 5 conversation with Hart and Burdett is ibid., 783.00/5–555.↩