783.5 MSP/11–1753: Telegram
No. 730
The Ambassador in Syria (Moose) to the Department of State
197. President Shishakli today asked me to call and told me he approved in principle Department’s suggestions re economic aid program to Syria set forth by Jernegan in conversation with Ambassador Zayn al Din September 29. Shishakli hoped Department would agree to early detailed discussions in Damascus looking to conclusion agreement for US aid on Ghab, Jezira roads and Latakia harbor project.1 He stressed nesessity of assuring sufficient credits to carry projects to completion and indicated IBRD loans of interest only if supplemented by US economic aid. Said Syria plans secure technical advice and assistance from IBRD mission which will begin work here early 1954 planning “next state” projects, namely, Barada hydroelectric, Orontes and Khabour River development. He ignored alternative projects suggested by Zayn al Din.
Shishakli said he greatly interested in military aid and hoped have early talk this subject.
Comment follows.2
- In telegram 222 to Damascus, Nov. 28, the Department authorized the Embassy to proceed with detailed discussions on special economic aid to Syria with respect to these projects. (783.5 MSP/11–1753)↩
This conversation was discussed in detail in despatch 320 from Damascus, Nov. 17, not printed. (783.5 MSP/11–2753)
Ambassador Moose reported further in telegram 199 from Damascus, Nov. 17, 5 p.m., that Shishikli had in the conversation of that day requested him to convey to the Department his hope that the United States would continue to demonstrate a friendly attitude toward Syria by supporting in the Security Council the Syrian position with respect to the Israeli diversion project in the demilitarized zone. (683.84A322/11–1753)
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