Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V

357.AC/8–1250: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Offices ¹

secret

Washington, August 14, 1950—1 a. m.

View fact Qudsi² departing Damascus Aug 14 (Damascus Legtel 85, Aug 12³) Caffery Alexandria shld reply to him along fol lines:

US deeply appreciates motives which have prompted Syrian Govt consult with it re this matter and believes they reflect wise and statesmanlike leadership. However decision is one entirely for Syrian and other Arab Govts to make and we do not wish in any way influence or interfere with that decision.

GA will be mtg at time of serious internatl developments and will be faced with many complex problems arising out of Korean situation. Attn will therefore be primarily focussed on that subj. However question of Jlem and PEA report are already on GA provisional agenda and we are certain they as well as any additional important points will receive fullest possible consideration.

Urinfo Dept concurs with Leg Damascus and Palmer’s views (Amman 42 Aug 14⁴) negative reply or any semblance pressure (Alexandria’s 19 Aug 13⁴) wld have unfortunate repercussions.

Other missions in Arab caps shld fol above line if similarly approached.

Acheson

1. At Arab capitals, Tel Aviv, London, Paris, Ankara, Jerusalem, and Alexandria. The circular telegram was sent niact to Alexandria and Damascus.
2. Nazim Qudsi, Syrian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
3. Not printed; it relayed information from the Syrian Prime Minister that be was departing from Damascus on August 14 to attend the Arab League meeting on the 18th at Alexandria. Among the items to be discussed was whether the Palestine problem should be placed on the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of the General Assembly. The Prime Minister also indicated that his Government was seeking the views of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union on the question. The important consideration to the Syrian Government was said to be the views of the United States; those of the Soviet Union were being sought only for form’s sake (357.AC/8–1250).
4. Not printed.
4. Not printed.