Office of the Historian

611.80/9–454: Telegram

No. 887
The Chargé in Syria (Strong) to the Department of State1

top secret
Damascus, September 4, 1954—1 p.m.

104. Department circular telegram 125, September 1. Regardless wording, US statement directed Israel alone would: (1) Be interpreted here as acceptance Israeli contention threat area stability comes from Arabs; (2) Result increase Syrian receptivity Soviet blandishments (Embtel 96, August 30); (3) Revive Syrian belief partiality; (4) Ill accord US estimate Israeli “preponderant military strength” (paragraph 6i NSC 5428).2 Department’s proposal would cause least controversy in Syria provided note containing similar [Page 1647] assurances and sanctions at same time delivered GOS. If publicity inevitable, should be even handed. Parallel US action vis-à-vis Israel and Arab States would follow pattern tripartite declaration.

Apparent intention publicize which increases need for balanced treatment leads Embassy suggest following modifications in Department’s wording.

a.
When speaking “security” avoid listing Israel invariably first; when speaking of “armed attack” avoid listing Arabs invariably first;
b.
In third paragraph statement, omit “traditional” since US ties with Arabs antedate creation Israel. Insert “equal” before “friendship” in second line and delete “also”;
c.
At end fourth paragraph recommend “solutions of particular problems offer best prospect progress toward eventual goal of peace” rather than present wording which overly vague;
d.
In paragraph 5, suggest specific reference arms aid to certain Arab States along with statement aid Israel not excluded. Such wording might serve emphasize Israel’s legitimate security problem and consequent need some US-Israel exchange.

Embassy appreciates problem facing Department and extent to which Israel fears justified but urges that US attention Israeli security problem not be at expense broader US area objectives (page 5, NSC 5428)3 effective cooperation Arab States, including Syria, in face increasingly active USSR.

Strong
  1. Repeated to Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Jidda, and Tel Aviv.↩
  2. Document 219.↩
  3. Page 5 of NSC 5428 contained paragraphs 6e through 6i.↩