326. Letter From the Ambassador in Syria (Moose) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Allen)1
Dear George: Among the ingredients of the witch’s brew now simmering in Syria are: a martyr complex of heroic size, resentment toward Israel, hostility toward the West, arrogance inherent in Islam, general xenophobia, Egyptian influence buttressed by Saudi gold, communist subversive activities and common opportunism in an uncommon degree.
Important among these factors are Egyptian influence and Saudi gold. If we propose to take any action to improve the situation here, I suggest that thought again be given to the desirability and possibility of making King Saud uneasy about the real benefits he receives from Saudi money disbursed in Syria. An approach might be made in two principal ways, or in either one of them: 1) by questioning whether the ultimate beneficiary of current Saudi expenditures in Syria will be Saudi Arabia or the U.S.S.R. and 2) by instilling a suspicion in the royal Saudi mind that Nasser & Co., by their very nature, constitute a danger to the Saudi dynasty more menacing than any from the House of Hashim.
It is my belief that Egyptian activities and influence in Syria would be much less harmful to us if, for whatever reason, the Egyptians were deprived of Saudi financial support.
[Page 573]With best personal regards,
Sincerely,
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 886B.00/6–756. Secret; Official–Informal.↩