867N.2390E/12–1648: Telegram
The Minister in Lebanon (Pinkerton) to the Acting Secretary of State
620. Remytel 614, December 8.1 At his request I again visited President Khouri and he talked at length with regard to Jewish occupation of Lebanese territory. He is worried. While he favors and will support Arab cooperation with newly created conciliation commission, he said other members Arab League will consider his support as strange so long as Jews continue occupy Lebanon. Any Lebanese attempt forcibly remove Jews would result in reopening of hostilities generally which Lebanon does not desire and is not in position to pursue. President [Page 1671] desires US Government take initiative in pressing for Jewish withdrawal as evidence US friendship for Lebanon. This would eliminate any resentment of our Palestine policy held in Lebanon. He pointed out traditional Lebanese friendship for US and emphasized position of Lebanese as moderating influence among Arab states which should be strengthened. As latest evidence of Lebanon’s desire to prevent discord in Middle East President pointed out his government has refused take stand for either Abdullah or Egypt in coming controversy over Arab Palestine and has limited its action to counselling Abdullah to avoid precipitate steps which might lead to controversy among Arab states.
On question of treaty of alliance which would safeguard Lebanese frontiers he said he cannot alone sign treaty with single country because he would have to accord privileges to that country which should not be accorded. He would like to sign with group of countries or be one of group which would sign with one country. It was clear he was speaking of UK because he has often mentioned impossibility of signing any such treaty with France. President is now trying to veer away from pro-Arab policy Lebanon has been following, and is in desperate need of friendly counsel which he cannot get from France or UK because they would inject too many of their own interests in such advice.
I believe maintenance of status quo in Lebanon and strengthening its political and economic situation would prove stabilizing influence in area, and would at same time continue reservoir of good will US has in Lebanon more than any other Middle Eastern country. President said there is some sentiment for reduction of Lebanon to its early boundaries of Mount Lebanon and he believes such state would not be viable and would become mere troublesome pawn in Middle East political group. He is therefore seeking moral support as opposed to military which he is convinced will not be necessary and he points out security of Saudi Arabia maintained simply by knowledge that US gives its friendship.
President would appreciate any comments Department may be able to make on his present situation.2
- Not printed.↩
- In a memorandum of
December 21 to Mr. Lovett, Mr. Satterthwaite stated that “NEA concurs in Minister Pinkerton’s
conclusions and recommends that, when Mr. Eliahu Epstein, Israeli
Special Representative, calls on you this afternoon, you inform him
of our concern over the continued military occupation of Lebanese
territory, and that we consider that the voluntary withdrawal by his
Government of its military units from Lebanon would serve to improve
the atmosphere in which the Conciliation Commission will shortly
undertake its work.” (501.BB Palestine/12–2148)
Mr. Lovett’s marginal notation read as follows: “a) We should not act as ‘good offices.’ Our record is too bad on this score. b) will sound out Epstein on their plans.” Regarding point b, see Mr. Lovett’s memorandum of conversation, December 21, p. 1676.
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