236. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Syria0
438. Provided and at such time as Qudsi reinstated as President and reconstitution of government being undertaken, and provided you convinced General Command has de facto control of Syria and SARG prepared adhere to its international obligations, you authorized in your discretion and at time you deem most appropriate, to resume normal relations with SARG. In name of USG you may assure SARG of our every good wish for success Syrian Government and people. You might at same time state USG will abide by existing economic assistance commitments, and is prepared discuss completion of US component stabilization package under same conditions as agreed upon earlier.
If asked whether this constitutes recognition, you may state in our opinion formal act of recognition not required unless SARG requests it.
FYI: We hope prompt action along these lines might help counteract SARG erroneous impression USG favors UAR control of Syria and establish favorable basis US relations new government. End FYI.
Embassy London may inform FonOff re foregoing instructions.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 783.00/4–562. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Barrow; cleared by Strong, Hewitt, McGhee, Veliotes, Moser (E), Ide and Anderson (AID), Welk (ExImBank) informed, and Talbot; and approved by Ball. Repeated to Amman, Ankara, Baghdad, Beirut, Bonn, Cairo, Jidda, London, Paris, Rome, Tel Aviv, Kuwait, and Taiz.↩