301. Editorial Note

The memorandum of discussion at the 255th meeting of the National Security Council on July 14, contains the following passage relating to Syria: [Page 540]

“Lastly, Mr. [Allen] Dulles referred to the ‘unhappy situation’ which continued in Syria. He stated his belief that the Soviet Union regarded Syria as the weakest point in the Western position in the Middle East. There were strong indications that Moscow felt that Syria was an area which it could exploit effectively.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)