867N.48/7–1449: Telegram
The Minister in Syria (Keeley) to the Secretary of State
384. President Zaim summoned me today and in hour-long review various matters separately reported, expressed his anxiety over refugee problem, stressing his conviction that unless refugees can speedily be resettled their deteriorating situation and morale will make them increasingly amenable to Communist propaganda. Unlike most Syrians, he lost no time in recriminations or fulminations against Israel for failure to implement repatriation provisions of December 11 UN resolution but made earnest plea for US aid in resettling refugees, implying resettlement is only realistic solution distressing problem.
Recalling that as long ago as April 28 (mytel 2561) he had expressed his willingness resettle quarter million or more in Syria if refugees fairly compensated for their losses and Syria given adequate aid. He begged me urge my government come forward with financial and technical assistance to help him fulfill his offer before Communists succeed in their increasing appeal to these victims of Palestine conflict. Explaining that he could not openly take initiative because powerful opposition would attack him for selling out to Jews and their backers, he pledged his wholehearted cooperation if US would take lead. “Give us needed help, show us way and we will prove our good will.” Here as [Page 1227] example latter, he alluded to cooperative response Syria has made to US plea for compromise in armistice talks with Israel saying he personally had directed Syrian delegation to make extreme concessions as earnest his appreciation USG’s constructive promise support observance agreement and as gesture his desire speedily liquidate Palestine problems. Armistice would be reached and refugee problem must be solved.
Referring to numerous economic development projects which Syria is anxious to implement and concerning which detailed studies already made (despatch 165, July 14)2 he pled for necessary funds and technical assistance promptly to alleviate them as means of absorbing refugee labor.
Reminding President that USG has consistently shown its concern for refugees both in making substantial contribution their relief and in urging necessity for realistic approach to resettlement, I said we have long foreseen and pointed out distressing and dangerous situation that will exist when current relief funds are exhausted as they soon will be without other provision in sight (pages two and three Legations A–134, May 11).2 He interrupted to express his pleasure that his and our thinking should be so similar and repeated earnestly “we want to resettle them as speedily as possible, but you must help us do it”. I then presented Department’s views as outlined Depcirtel May 27, 1 a. m.3 and said US felt that greater initiative should come from Arab states. Reiterating probable dire political consequences if Syria openly took initiative, Zaim said “if everyone concerned waits for someone else to move, problem will not be solved in thousand years. Recognize difficulty of our position and help us to prove our good will. It is in your interest as much as ours that this problem be speedily solved.”
Believing that no useful purpose would be served by prolonging discussion pending receipt of Department’s reply to Legtel 380, July 132 and authority to make specific suggestions for Syrian consideration, I said I would not fail report his views to my government which I knew would be happy to learn of his awareness of serious implications of problem and of his continued willingness to approach its solution realistically.
Sincerity of Zaim’s will to action is unquestionable if for no other reason than his awareness that Palestine problems stand in way realization many of his dreams. While Legation shares belief that he cannot safely go too far in advance of Syrian public opinion in what [Page 1228] would here be considered unreasonable surrender to Israeli intransigence, it is evident that he is susceptible of being led by friendly US initiative not only in resettling refugees but in compromising other differences with Israel. In Legation’s opinion it is in interest of peace in Middle East to capitalize on Zaim’s cooperativeness by recognizing delicacy his position and by encouraging him with our support wherever possible.
If, as recommended Legtel 380, we eschew scolding tactics and take initiative in building constructively on cooperation offered us, resettlement in Syria can begin as promptly as projects can be activated with needed funds and technical assistance.
While appreciating considerations that influenced Department to condition its help of elements set forth in Depcirtel May 27, Legation believes urgency of matter calls for more direct leadership in assembling and concentrating desirable international assistance. Legation fears that unless US takes and keeps initiative in UN to evolve workable plan, cooperation on international plane will be forthcoming too slowly to solve problem before it worsens dangerously and perhaps irreparably.
Our acceptance of leadership entails danger of being blamed for shortcomings of any suggested plan of action but our successful solution this distressing problem would be great humanitarian gesture worthy our best traditions and would pay dividends in helping restore our once high prestige in Arab lands.
Sent Department 384, repeated London 98, Paris 83; pouched Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Bern, Cairo, Jerusalem, Jidda, Tel Aviv, Ankara, Moscow.