Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Near East: Jordan-Yemen, Volume XIII

336. Telegram From the Embassy in Syria to the Department of State¹

Damascus, November 3, 1956—9 p.m.

1040. My telegram 1031.² Prime Minister Asali, acting Foreign Minister Kallas and Minister Public Works Jabri requested meeting 5:00 p.m. November 3. Visibly agitated they said regretted inform me sabotage IPC appeared more serious than originally thought. They believed a pumping station seriously damaged but claimed not to know where or by whom perpetrated. Investigating proceeding with assistance army G–2.

I said I feared this news would make bad impression in US. Referring to numerous incitations to violence in Syrian press and radio I noted sabotage occurred after IPC communications cut by GOS 5:00 p.m. November 2 and despite assurances given me November 1 by Prime Minister and November 2 by acting Foreign Minister³ that necessary protective measures would be taken. Minister Public Works confirmed IPC communications still inoperative. Replying to question Prime Minister said he had no reason connect damage IPC line with incitement to sabotage oil installations broadcast from Cairo (Cairo Embassy telegram 92).⁴

I said since Syria ally of Egypt I would not ask for comment but call of Cairo radio for sabotage followed so closely by damage IPC line impelled me mention credible but unconfirmed report reaching me some time ago that certain commando-type organizations trained in sabotage were stationed in Syria but under Egyptian not Syrian control. Prime Minister said he knew of no such organizations but would follow every clue as to identity of saboteurs wherever it might lead.

I expressed hope GOS would give every facility permit early repair and resumption operation IPC line. Three Ministers asserted everything possible would be done and Minister Public Works, himself an engineer, said he would help personally if needed.

In conclusion Prime Minister promised to keep me informed as investigation proceeds.

Moose

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 883.2553/11–356. Confidential; Niact. Also sent niact to Beirut, Baghdad, London, Paris, Amman, Cairo, and Ankara.
2. Telegram 1031 from Damascus, November 3, reported, among other things, that Prime Minister Asali had acknowledged an unconfirmed report of damage to the IPC line but was unable to specify the nature of the damage or its extent or location. (Ibid.)
3. The assurances were reported in telegram 1010 from Damascus, November 2 (Ibid., 883.2553/11–256); telegram 1018 from Damascus, November 2 (Ibid., 641.83/ 11–256); and telegram 1025 from Damascus, November 3 (Ibid., 320.5774/11–356).
4. Reference is evidently in error. Telegram 1248 from Cairo, November 1, reported that the Egyptian home service on November 1 had broadcast a communiqué of the Arab Labor Confederation which appeared to call for sabotage and destruction of oil installations, military bases, ships, and planes belonging to any nation attacking Egypt. (Ibid., 684A.86/11–156)