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  4. Document 620

783.00/12–351: Telegram

The Chargé in Syria ( Clark ) to the Department of State 1

priority
restricted
Damascus , December 3, 1951—5 p. m.

321. In note to Leg2 today transmitting info contained in mil order No. 2 (Legtel 320, December 3)3 naming Selo Chief of State and authorizing secys gen to exercise functions of mins, FonOff note asserted whole affair “purely internal,” that elections will be held shortly, and that “this internal event will not lead to any change in Syria’s foreign policy or its international relations.” Note thus poses formal question of recognition.

Clark
  1. Repeated to London, Paris, Ankara, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Arab capitals, Moscow, and Tripoli.↩
  2. Foreign Office note S 90 dated December 3, not printed. A copy was transmitted to Washington in despatch 314 from Damascus, December 3; 783.02/12–351.↩
  3. Telegram 320 is not printed. A copy of Military Order No. 2 was transmitted to Washington on December 3 in despatch 309; 783.00/12–351.↩