890D.01/603: Telegram
The Consul General at Beirut (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:04 p.m.]
205. Department’s 78, June 2, 9 p.m.
1. For the reasons set forth in my telegram No. 434, October 30, 1941,5 a promise to recognize the independence of the Levant States will make a most happy impression both on the local and on the occupying authorities. And if coupled with the appointment in the near future of a Diplomatic Agent and Consul General such a declaration will at once inspire confidence that we believe the Allies capable of and willing to defend Syria against Axis aggression.
2. I do not anticipate any difficulty in obtaining from both countries the necessary engagements to respect all our existing treaty rights until new treaties can be negotiated. See my 426, October 24, 1941,6 11, January 16, and 35, February 6, 1942.
The only question in my mind concerns the expression “as soon as duly constituted independent governments are established”, I assume we shall be the sole judges as to what we consider duly constituted governments but I fear lest all four authorities concerned viz. the British, the French, the Syrians and the Lebanese—not to mention some of the racial and religious minorities—at variance put a different interpretation on the phrase and denounce the others and appeal to us for justice. The problem of fair elections for example would alone be sufficient to cause no end of discussion and ill feeling and no matter which government was in office we would be blamed if we recognized it since many of the natives or even England or France might not consider it strictly constitutional.
[Page 649]3. The Department may therefore prefer to word that particular reference a little more vaguely in order to avoid being drawn into a discussion of any definite programs for the establishment of duly constituted governments. As stated in my 155, May 1, 10 a.m.,7 I feel that for the time being it would be preferable if we were not committed to support or withhold support from any native authorities which in the nature of things must be provisional under military occupation. It is quite possible that no duly constituted governments in the strict sense of the term will be possible before the end of the war, and I take it that the Department would not wish to wait that long before extending recognition.
4. It would be helpful if the Department could inform me of the approximate date when the proposed press release is to be issued as the situation may of course change in the meantime.