Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

783A.00/8–1952: Telegram

No. 470
The Minister in Lebanon (Minor) to the Department of State

secret

Beirut, August 19, 1952—5 p.m.

320. In long conversation today with Pres El Khoury, I gave him verbally rather close translation in French of ideas expressed Deptel 229, August 6. I began by saying this conversation was continuation of previous friendly and personal exchanges, and stressed we have no intention interfere in Leb affairs. Pres accepted this wholeheartedly and listened intently. When I finished, he thanked me and said he has not been idle in matter of reform. He then took out dossier and said he wld reveal to me broad outlines his program. He prefaced his statement by saying he refused to be pushed into unconstitutional measures and that his program is therefore strictly within legal limits. He proposes ask Chamber delegate to govt for six months’ power to issue decree laws along lines fol broad program:

(a) Polit and admin:

(1) Revision of municipal election law;

(2) Revision general election laws, including changes of circumscriptions;

(3) Dismissal of unnecessary and inefficient govt employees;

(4) Certain reforms in judiciary;

(5) Reforms in security forces;

(6) Decentralization of govt;

(7) Other general admin reforms.

(b) Economic and social:

(1) Naming of Supreme Econ Council with own budget and wide autonomy, composed of capable persons inside and outside govt to develop econ program;

(2) A system of free medical attention;

(3) Study of program of development of electricity and water supply;

(4) Control of imports to avoid scandals;

(5) Govt to prepare and announce budget at once.

Pres read rapidly in French and I am sorry I cld not take notes and cld not possibly remember all points involved. When he had finished I said I thought in broad lines he had many good ideas, but I noticed no mention was made of taxation or land reform. To this he replied that these are not proper subjects for decree laws. I said that unfortunately many people believe that Leb is badly in need of better tax distribution and of land reform so that there might be a letdown when these things are not mentioned. To get around this point he made written notes to insert in instr to the Superior Econ Council a directive to study and come up with recommendations on these points.

Pres then said I had come precisely at moment when he was trying to decide on one of two courses of action:

(1) To submit this program to Solh govt tomorrow and take chances on its becoming confused with polit situation and bogged down, or

(2) To wait formation new govt and take chances involved in delay. He asked my advice and I said there was danger on both sides, but that I felt essential thing is immed action, especially since program will be continuing one and can be carried on by new govt.

As to govt, he said, Solh govt cannot last long and will have to face an extraordinary session to Chamber about Sept 1. He envisages govt headed by Saleam and including capable figures inside and outside govt. He is inclined not to include opposition since he is much hurt by their vicious and personal attacks on him at last Sunday’s mtg. He is sending his bad boy son, Khalil, out of the country for an extended trip about Sept 1 which shld have a good effect. Pres was touched by our encouragement at a time when he much needs it. I don’t know whether he will carry through, but I am convinced this is the way to tackle the problem, i.e. to encourage legally constituted govts to carry out broad social and econ reforms, thus mtg legitimate desires of the masses of the people for better govt and for recognition of their basic rights. I sometimes worry for fear we are repeating the mistakes of history in supporting corrupt regimes and the status quo. This is always a risk but it can be overcome by letting it be known constantly and positively where we stand and for what we stand. It requires a capable tightrope walker these days to maintain the proper balance, on the one hand of supporting legally-constituted govts, and on the other of not discouraging progressive forces.

Before speaking to Pres, I consulted my Brit colleague who showed me long despatch to FonOff which agrees very much with our own ideas. Brit Min has spoken to Pres and PriMin of need for early reform. I did not consult French colleague since, frankly I don’t know quite where we stand with French. It is common rumor that they undercut us. It seems evident, too, that their objectives and ours are not the same. Also, there is evidence that the govt is annoyed with French actions here under the new Minister. Lest it be thought there is friction, I hasten to say that French-Amer surface relations here are excellent.

Minor