683.84A322/10–2953: Telegram
No. 716
The Ambassador in Syria (Moose) to the Department of State1
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172. Deptel 163 October 28, 1953. I communicated to President Shishakli orally substance Deptel 163 at 1:30 p.m. October 29. Shishakli appeared pleased USG had seen fit take effective measures support Bennike’s ruling and gratified work has stopped. He opined USG able exercise large measure influence over Israeli policy through its grants financial assistance and expressed hope this influence would be used again in future if necessary insure Israeli compliance UN resolutions.
Shishakli then stated he considered recent US action mark friendship for Syria and himself personally and expressed thanks to State Department and Embassy. I replied US action is part general US policy support UN measures and President should not give Embassy too much credit for its hand in matter.
Following important conclusions may be drawn from this episode: (1) Shishakli credits US not UN with stoppage Israeli work. He is exceedingly well-disposed USG whose action he professes believe primarily result his initiative (Embtels 147 October 17 and 156 October 21) though local papers have reported suspension aid to Israel occurred before Shishakli suggested it; (2) Shishakli convinced USG in position secure Israeli compliance on other matters. I therefore believe situation now as propitious as possible for Johnston visit. Shishakli reiterated that he would be pleased see Johnston and consider on basis interests Syria and other nations any project which Johnston might propose. However in order capitalize on current favorable attitude Shishakli, SC should deal effectively with current Syrian complaint (see Embtel 173 October 29).2