72. Memorandum From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson1
When you see Ambassador Knight at 6 p.m., we recommend you give him a brief oral private message to take back to Syria’s President. The Syrians have been the loudest in denouncing our Arab-Israeli stand, and in claiming you have changed our Arab policy. Following doesn’t give him much, but would serve highly useful purpose of letting him know you care enough about Syria.
“I wish to take the occasion of Ambassador Knight’s return to Syria to assure you of the unchanged and unchanging nature of our American policy in the Near East. I intend to continue to pursue it in the same spirit as President Kennedy.
“While I realize that there are aspects of our policy that cannot fully satisfy any country in the area, I hope that you, Mr. President, your Government, and your people will appreciate the friendliness of our position and our desire for good relations between Syria and the US.”
Approve2
Disapprove
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Special Head of State Corresponddence File, Syria, Presidential Correspondence. Secret.↩
- This option is checked. The message was transmitted in telegram 462 to Damascus, June 10. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 1 NEAR E-US) Telegram 896 from Damascus, June 22, reported that Ambassador Knight delivered the message to President Hafiz, who stated that he had no doubt about U.S. friendship and friendly intentions but that the Arabs continued to feel “grievance and injury” resulting from the events of 1947–1949. Knight noted that fundamental U.S. policy was unchanged by the Eshkol visit and remained opposed to aggression by either side. (Ibid.)↩