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

401. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France¹

Washington, September 17, 1957—7:26 p.m.

Topol 727. Deliver Perkins by 9:00 a.m. September 18. Polto 589.² Department hopes discussions of Syrian and ME situation mentioned reftel can begin September 18. Although complete replies to all questions contained in NATO I.S. paper are not readily available now, questions are so general that more definitive replies would not be likely to result from delaying discussions additional week.

Following are our views re correspondingly numbered paragraphs reftel:

1) We believe Syria is not yet “satellited” but is certainly “on the road to satellization”. In absence of intervening events present trend will end in complete domination present Syrian regime by USSR, particularly insofar as foreign policy is concerned. Syrian Government is utilizing propaganda media characteristic of Communist tactics.

Syrian attempts smuggle arms into Lebanon, stepped up activities of Syrian G–2 agents within Lebanon and recent bitter press campaign against Lebanese Government are Communist methods now being employed by Syria against smallest of Syria’s Arab neighbors. Degree of dependence of Syrian Government on Moscow not now clear although continuing attacks by USSR against Western “imperialism”, Russian notes to US, UK and France on ME,³ and USSR note threatening Turkey are indications of close connection between USSR and Syria. Russian-Syrian economic talks have opened way to Soviet penetration of Syrian economy. Communist bloc advisors and technicians are known to be training Syrian Army.

Syrian Government now attempting persuade world it truly independent of Moscow and seeking to lull other countries into complacency. Such attempts include declarations that Syrian Chief of Staff Bizri is not Communist but independent nationalist, that US has hatched entire Communist tale, and that USSR is champion of Arab nationalism. Facts are that present Syrian Government is infiltrated by Communists and in control of pro-Soviet officials who are opening doors of Syria to USSR. Thus, Syria is becoming base of international Communism in heart of Arab World which will serve as center for subversion against neighboring governments designed to destroy independence of those countries and to subject them to Soviet Communist domination.

2) A) Evolution of Syrian situation poses immediate danger for West because of unpredictable, impetuous and ruthless nature of pro-Soviet officials controlling Syrian Government and their aggressive attitude toward pro-West neighbors of Syria. Large build-up of Soviet arms in Syria threatens peace in ME.

B) Syrian situation poses long-term danger of infiltration and subversion neighboring countries. Neighbors of Syria are genuinely concerned by this. Undermining of Governments these countries and their replacement by regimes on Syrian model would have seriously adverse effect on position of West in area.

C) Situation in Syria thus poses both immediate and long-term danger for West.

3) Those counter-measures which Western countries might adopt against long-term dangers include: a) Helping to strengthen internal security of neighboring Moslem countries; b) Helping to strengthen their armed forces; c) Assisting in countering hostile propaganda from Cairo and Damascus; d) Offering economic aid to strengthen neighboring Moslem Governments; e) Standing by commitments to assist in safeguarding territorial integrity and independence.

4) Re nature of threat, see above. In addition, long-term threat to Syria’s neighbors might well be military action, as soon as Syrian Army has been sufficiently trained in use of Russian arms. Economic threat to neighbors could be either immediate or long-term or both, i.e. cutting of oil pipelines would have an immediate and long-term effect on economy of both Iraq and Lebanon.

5) As result recent visit Syrian mission to Moscow, agreement appears to have been reached whereby USSR will loan Syria $100–150 million for Syrian development projects repayable over 12 year period at 2.5 percent. According reports USSR also agreed buy surplus Syrian agricultural commodities in amount of approximately $15 million, half proceeds to be applied to deliveries Soviet equipment and balance to be made available in foreign exchange. Soviet technicians are reportedly to assist in development projects including roads, railroads, hydro-electric plants, irrigation projects and industrial establishments. Effect these agreements, if carried out, will be to reduce Syrian economy to complete dependency on Soviet bloc.

6) Propaganda media which could be used to counteract hostile propaganda might include broadcasts from West, broadcasts from neighboring Arab states, utilization of press friendly to West, appropriate statements in UN, other media such as replies to Soviet note on ME.⁴

Murphy

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 780.00/9–1357. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Dorman and Rockwell and approved by Berry who signed for Murphy. Repeated to Amman, Ankara, Baghdad, Beirut, Damascus, and London.
2. Polto 589 from Paris, September 13, contained the text of a paper prepared by the International Secretariat of the North Atlantic Council, which set forth a possible framework for a discussion on the Syrian and Middle East situation. A covering note to the paper suggested that the subject be considered in private session following the regular NAC meeting on September 18. (Ibid.)
3. Reference is to a Soviet note of September 3, not printed here.
4. During a private session of the North Atlantic Council on September 19, the U.S. Representative delivered the comments set forth in Topol 727. (Polto 632 from Paris, September 18; Department of State, Central Files, 740.5/9–1857) The North Atlantic Council continued to discuss the Middle East and Syrian situation intermittently for the following several weeks. Documentation concerning these discussions is ibid., 780.00 and 783.00.