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

783A.00/9–1952: Telegram

No. 489
The Chargé in Lebanon (Lobenstine) to the Department of State¹

secret
priority

Beirut, September 19, 1952—12 a.m.

580. Various Leb polit reps are asking our view as to successor for Pres Khouri. They note that Brit are more or less openly backing Camille Chamoun and that French are believed to be supporting Hamid Frangie. Whether we will it or not, all Lebs assume we, like they, must have a candidate and must be working for his election.

We believe that all candidates thus far seriously considered—Chamoun, Frangie, Gen Cyehab, Alfred Naccache, Dr. Yousef Hitti, Jawad Boulos, Dr. Charles Malik, etc—are men of high calibre and without exception friendly to America. Since none of those is an outstanding favorite for election and since our only personal preference Dr. Malik is receiving scarcely any attention we believe we shld officially and unofficially show no favoritism lest by doing so we alienate affections of Pres eventually elected.

Subject Depts and Min Minor’s approval, therefore we are keeping out of picture as much as possible. All Amer members of staff have been instructed not to comment on situation in public. When asked for official or unofficial statement our views, we stick to principles not to personalities, indicating views: (1) day of imperialism is over; we respect Lebanon’s independence and her right select Pres in accordance her own constitutional processes; (2) we hope for a Pres who has universal respect entire citizenry, who will decidedly steer Lebanon on course of progress its people so obviously desire; and (3) we have not and will not support any individual and do not believe any foreign power is or shld be giving active support to any candidate.²

Lobenstine

1. Sent by pouch to the Arab capitals, Paris, London, and Tel Aviv.
2. Telegram 546 to Beirut, Sept. 20, stated that the Department and Ambassador Minor were in full accord with the Embassy’s attitude as defined in paragraph 3 of telegram 580. The Department assumed that the Embassy would continue to stress this attitude, and take any opportunity to counsel the Lebanese on moderation and the maintenance of public order. (783A.00/9–1952)