Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, The Far East, Volume V

890D.01/8–944: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Beirut ( Wadsworth )³

Washington , September 5, 1944—7 p.m.

134. The United States Government has observed with friendly and sympathetic interest the accelerated transfer of governmental powers to the Syrian and Lebanese Governments since November 1943 and believes that the local Governments may now be considered representative, effectively independent and in a position satisfactorily to fulfill their international obligations and responsibilities. The United States is therefore prepared to extend full and unconditional recognition of the independence of Syria and Lebanon, upon receipt from the local Governments of written assurances that the existing rights of the United States and its nationals, particularly as set forth in the Treaty of 1924 between the United States and France,⁴ are fully recognized and will be effectively continued and protected by those Governments until such time as appropriate bilateral accords may be concluded by direct and mutual agreement between the United States and Syria and Lebanon, respectively.

Following the receipt of such assurances this Government proposes to appoint an EE and MP⁵ as its representative near the Syrian and Lebanese Governments and would be pleased to receive in this country diplomatic representatives of Syria and Lebanon of the same grade.

You should address separate notes to the Syrian and Lebanese authorities in the foregoing sense, forwarding copies of your communications and the replies thereto promptly to the Department.

The President desires to appoint you as United States Minister near the Syrian and Lebanese Governments. The Department trusts that such appointment will be agreeable to you and requests that you ascertain informally from the appropriate local authorities that it would likewise be agreeable to them.

It is the Department’s intention to notify the French of this decision, as a matter of courtesy, following the receipt of satisfactory replies from the Syrian and Lebanese Governments and before the news is announced publicly.

Hull

[For agreement between the United States and Syria regarding the treaty rights of the United States and its nationals in Syria and recognition by the United States of the independence of Syria, effected by an exchange of notes signed September 7 and 8, 1944, see Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 434, or 58 Stat. (pt. 2) 1491.

For similar agreement between the United States and Lebanon, signed September 7 and 8, 1944, see Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 435, or 58 Stat. (pt. 2) 1493.]

3. Accredited also to Syria; resident in Beirut.
4. Convention between the United States and France, defining American rights in Syria and Lebanon, signed at Paris, April 4, 1924, Foreign Relations, 1924, vol. i, p. 741.
5. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.