890D.01/7–1345: Airgram
The Minister to Syria and Lebanon (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 20—3 p.m.]
A–92. [Here is given an account of initial public reaction and reaction among the Troupes Spéciales to the announced transfer of these troops to Lebanese and Syrian control.]
The reaction of the Lebanese Government is contained in a joint Lebano-Syrian statement issued on July 9, following consultations at Shatura between Jamil Mardam Bey, Acting Prime Minister of Syria and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lebanese Premier Abdul Hamid Karameh and Foreign Minister Henry Pharaon. The text of this communiqué is given below:
“The Syrian and Lebanese Governments have taken cognizance of the declaration published by the Provisional Government of the French Republic dated July 8th, 1945, whereby the locally recruited troops were transferred to these two governments.
“Registering the said declaration of the P.G.F.R., the Syrian and Lebanese Governments proclaim the satisfaction they feel in taking charge of their troops.
“The two governments have decided each to appoint a technical committee for the takeover of these troops.”
When questioned on the Lebanese point of view concerning the French declaration, as well as the services which have not been transferred, and concerning the foreign troops on Lebanese soil, the Foreign Minister made the following statement:
“Concerning the services which are ours, I hope that their transfer will suffer neither delay nor difficulty.
“As regards the withdrawal of foreign troops this will be the object of a simultaneous settlement among the interested parties.”
The British have been active in urging the local governments to accept the French offer at its face value, motivated, I believe, by a desire to see the situation settled as rapidly as possible and an end put to a series of events which have imposed a serious strain on Anglo-French relationships.
Further developments will be reported by airgram or despatch as warranted.