684A.86/3–1052: Telegram
No. 415
The Minister in Lebanon (Minor) to the Department of State1
929. Replying Depcirgram [sic] 758 March 4. Legation believes discussions on Arab collective security pact, Zafrullah’s recent tour and growing desire for resumption Arab-Israeli trade do open prospects for progress toward peace settlement but at same time we strongly believe these tendencies will not be translated into official action in Leb before such time as (1) Palestine refugee problem is settled; (2) some solution of Anglo-Egyptian problem is achieved; and (3) there is unmistakable evidence which Arab states can see of a truly unbiased US policy toward Arabs and Israel.
While Leb officialdom professes to be groping for some action in direction of peace, it recognizes strong popular feeling of kinship with Egyptian people. Therefore, Leb Govt cannot be expected to take lead among Arab states nor to take any concrete action toward peace settlement in face of local popular sentiment.
Lebanese not yet taken official action on Arab collective security pact. Leg has copy of it. We assume this lengthy confidential text is available to Dept and other missions. If desired, we can translate and forward it. Some Lebanese express opinion that strongest factor in progress toward peace is continual decline in US private contributions to Israel.
- Repeated to Amman, Baghdad, Cairo, Damascus, Jidda, Paris, London, and Tel Aviv.↩