890E.00/12–2445: Telegram
The Chargé in Lebanon (Mattison) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:42 p.m.]
430. I called on FonMin this morning at his request.
He stated that he had been informed of an intention to invite Lebanon and Syria to Four Power discussions with France and Great Britain. He would like to know:
- 1.
- What my Govt’s views were on the holding of such discussions.
- 2.
- In view of our expressed interest during the incidents of last May, would the US be willing to approach France and Great Britain, and make known our views on the subject. He implied that he wished us to make it clear that we did not want proposals made which would result in any impairment of the sovereignty of the two countries, whose independence we had recognized unconditionally.
I inquired whether he had any agenda for the discussions, and he replied that he had asked for agenda, as naturally he did not wish to enter into discussions without knowing what subjects were to be dealt with.
With regard to the Franco-British agreement I made clear to him the fact that we had not approved the agreement (reDeptel 413 of Dec 20). He seemed worried over the terms and I believe he fears that his country may yet be “sold down the river”.
I promised him that I would ask for a speedy reply to his inquiry as he would like to know our attitude before giving a reply to the French and British should they extend a formal invitation. He requested [Page 1187] that the message be shown to Mr. Wadsworth if he is still in the US.91
Repeated London as 16 and Paris as 109; sent Dept as 430.
- Mr. Wadsworth left Beirut on October 16, 1945, to proceed to the United States for consultation. He left Washington on December 28 for London in connection with the meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization and returned to Beirut on March 9, 1946. For documentation on the visit to the United States of Mr. Wadsworth and other American Ministers in the Near East, see pp. 10 ff.↩