133. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Lebanon 1
2600. You are authorized inform Chamoun USG aware of the outside pressures being brought to bear against Lebanon and is sympathetic his desire bolster Lebanon’s security with defensive arms and economic assistance. He may also be informed specifically that 1) Department now discussing with interested government agencies details possible future economic assistance for Lebanon based on previous understanding of country’s needs, 2) Suggestions embodied Embtel 1656,2 while requiring detailed discussion and study, are helpful in this connection and Department would welcome further indications his views as to how US might practically cooperate with Lebanon in economic field, 3) Matter of Lebanese arms request being given high-level consideration which will be influenced by developments affecting proposed Joint Congressional Resolution.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 783A.5–MSP/1–757. Secret. Drafted by Rockwell and Eagleton and approved by Dulles. Repeated to Cairo and Damascus, and pouched to Amman, Baghdad, Jidda, Paris, London, and USUN.↩
- In telegram 1656, January 7, the Embassy reported, inter alia, Prime Minister Solh’s urgent request for American aid in developing a low-cost housing program in Beirut. Solh also discussed the importance of completing the road to the Lebanon-Syria border. The Embassy informed the Department, however, that there was “little evidence to date” of the Lebanese Government’s willingness to be “realistic” in its approach to the “politically complex and economically important subject” of low-cost housing. (Ibid.)↩
- House Joint Resolution 117, Senate Joint Resolution 19.↩