890D.01/6–545: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 5—4:05 p.m.]
5669. In statement in Commons this afternoon on Syrian situation Churchill said18 that when such regrettable incidents occur between nations so firmly attached as Britain and France it was usually case that less said the better, but he felt harm would result from leaving some statements in de Gaulle’s press message19 unanswered.
Sense of de Gaulle’s speech was to suggest trouble in Levant States due to British interference. Eden had already made it clear that far from causing agitation all British influence had been used in opposite direction and most strenuous efforts had been made by British Minister to produce calmer atmosphere in which negotiations could be conducted for settlement of outstanding questions between France and Levant States. Churchill said he himself had impressed on Syrian President need for peaceful settlement when he was in Cairo in February20 and that as result of British pressure Levant States had been persuaded to open negotiations whereas they had previously been unwilling to do so.
Churchill said British have absolutely no ambitions in Levant States and sought no territory and no advantage there not given any other countries.
Churchill said in message to de Gaulle last February [May]21 he had made it clear British recognized special French position in Syria but he had pointed out British Government could not disregard events in Levant States. He had told de Gaulle he was willing to order withdrawal British troops from Levant immediately treaty concluded and in operation.
[Page 1139]He had urged upon de Gaulle bad impression sending French reinforcements to Syria would create but nevertheless French forces began to arrive on May 17 and internal situation became very tense. On May 25 British Minister had been instructed to represent to Syrian Government necessity for maintaining control of situation. On May 28 Syrian Foreign Minister informed British Minister that events had overtaken him and that he could no longer be responsible for internal security.
Fact that message to de Gaulle informing him of British intention to intervene had been delivered following statement by Eden in Commons had been made subject of expression of regret by Churchill and no discourtesy was intended.
Until intervention by British they had issued no arms to Syrians or Lebanese but they are now doing so for sake of maintaining order.
Suggestion that British Minister in Beirut22 was recalled to please General de Gaulle was not true.
In reply to question by Attlee23 regarding proposals for obtaining settlement, Churchill said that suggestion of conference between British, United States and French Governments in London still stands and hoped it will not be cast aside. He had seen suggestion of five-power conference bringing in Russia and China. This would cause great delay and “would require very careful consideration on many grounds”.
- For text of statement, see Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons, 5th series, vol. 411, col. 689.↩
- See telegram 3269, June 3, 2 p.m., from Paris, p. 1134.↩
- For an account of the conversation between the British Prime Minister and the Syrian President on February 17, see telegram 2163, March 2, 7 p.m., from London, p. 1051.↩
- See message of May 4, p. 1067.↩
- Maj. Gen. Sir Edward L. Spears, who, according to Mr. Churchill’s statement, wished to relinquish his post to return to his Parliamentary duties. The Minister resigned on December 15, 1944.↩
- Clement R. Attlee, leader of the British Labor Party.↩