Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Near East and Africa, Volume VIII

890D.20 Missions/7–1145

Memorandum of Conversation by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Kohler)

[Washington,] July 11, 1945.

Participants:	Mr. Michael Wright, Counselor, British Embassy
	Mr. Henderson14
	Mr. Kohler

Mr. Michael Wright called at his request to read to us a telegram from the Foreign Office transmitting a request of the British Minister Resident in the Middle East, Sir Edward Grigg, that the United States send a military mission to the Levant States,¹⁵ of the same kind as its missions in Iran and Saudi Arabia,¹⁶ to train the Syrian and Lebanese gendarmeries and to supply them with any additional equipment required to enable them to maintain order in Syria and Lebanon.

Sir Edward pointed out that the gendarmerie had behaved admirably during the recent events in the Levant States¹⁷ but that the situation continued tense and that further outbreaks could be anticipated, particularly in view of the relative weakness and deficient equipment of the gendarmerie and of potential Moslem-Christian conflicts. Sir Edward regarded this as a question of considerable urgency, and felt that French suspicions almost precluded the British from taking the necessary action in this respect.

Mr. Henderson pointed out that there were technical difficulties in the way of such action on the part of the U.S., notably the ineligibility of Syria and Lebanon for lend-lease assistance. However, he felt that the U.S. should be prepared to assume responsibilities in the Near East consonant with its announced policies and commitments and accordingly assured Mr. Wright that the Department would give this request prompt and careful study and sympathetic consideration.

14. Loy W. Henderson, Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs.
15. In telegram 224, July 19, 1945, 11 a.m., the Minister to Syria and Lebanon reported that British military commanders in the Middle East had suggested to him that the United States “take over full responsibility for organizing and training security and national defence forces” of Syria and Lebanon (890D.6131/7–1945). In telegram 230, July 26, 1945, 11 a.m., the Minister stated that the British Minister to Syria and Lebanon (Shone) had informed the Presidents of the Syrian and Lebanese Republics that such an arrangement would be welcomed by His Majesty’s Government (890D.01/7–2645). Bechara el-Khouri was President of the Lebanese Republic.
16. For documentation on the establishment of a military mission in Iran, see Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. iv, pp. 398–399 and 510–561, passim; in Saudi Arabia, see ibid., pp. 904–918, passim.
17. See telegram 163, May 29, 9 p.m., from Beirut, p. 1114, and ff.