Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Near East: Jordan-Yemen, Volume XIII

343. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Syria¹

Washington, December 13, 1956—8:58 p.m.

1083. Embtel 1420.² Present following note urgently to PriMinister:

“I have honor refer Your Excellency’s assurances given me November 3³ that GOS would investigate sabotage of Iraq Petroleum Company Pipeline, wherever clues might lead, that they would keep me informed progress investigation, and that they would give every facility for early repair and resumption operation line. I am now instructed inform Your Excellency that USG considers this statement as promise on part of GOS and confidently expects GOS fulfill its commitment. I understand that GOS is in receipt letter from IPC requesting permission for entry survey party in connection with steps to restore pipeline to operation as rapidly as possible.

Reopening of pipeline in which important US interests are involved, is urgently necessary in view of acute problems resulting from shortage of oil in Europe, NE, and Asia arising out of closure Suez Canal and IPC line. In connection with withdrawal of foreign forces from Egypt as result of UN action strongly supported by USG, Govt of Egypt is cooperating with UN in preliminary steps designed to reopen Suez Canal. View of USG that there is no justification for GOS not to take similar steps immediately with reference to IPC pipeline. USG confident GOS would not deliberately stand in way of measures which would assist in restoring normalcy to NE and strengthening regional stability, and which would assist nations of world as well as sister Arab states in their oil supply problems.

USG, which has convincingly revealed its deep interest in security of states of NE in its actions taken with regard to recent hostilities, now in most friendly fashion calls upon GOS to play its part in restoring normal conditions in NE by offering prompt and complete cooperation in connection with efforts to repair pipeline, which was sabotaged, as I have been informed by GOS, against Government’s orders and contrary to its desires.”⁴

While Department does not believe it wise Cairo request GOE assistance re GOS, substance foregoing note might be used as appropriate in any pertinent discussions with GOE. Department approaching certain governments to suggest they urge upon Syria same action.⁵ In addition, Acting Secretary calling in Syrian Chargé to make similar representation.⁶

Hoover

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 883.2553/12–1156. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Rockwell; cleared with Wilkins; and approved by Rountree who signed for Hoover. Repeated to Cairo, London, Paris (priority), and USUN.
2. In telegram 1420 from Damascus, December 11, Ambassador Moose reported that, according to Syrian Prime Minister Asali, Syria preferred to wait “until after Christmas”, that is until after foreign troops withdrew from Egypt, before it would approve an IPC request to repair its pipeline. Moose advised the Department that it was believed that a word from Nasser through military channels would secure a prompt Syrian approval of the proposed IPC action; and he offered several suggestions on making another approach to Asali. (Ibid.)
3. See Document 336.
4. Moose delivered this message to Asali on December 15. (Telegram 1459 from Damascus, December 15; Department of State, Central Files, 883.2553/12–1556) On December 17, Asali informed Moose that, while IPC would be allowed to repair the pipeline, the oil would not be permitted to “flow” until French, British, and Israeli troops had withdrawn from territory taken in the recent conflict. (Telegram 1473 from Damascus, December 17; Ibid., 883.2553/12–1756) On December 26, however, the Syrian Government issued a statement indicating that it had informed IPC representatives that their company could inspect the damage and make estimates related to repairing the pipeline, but that the Syrian Government would not discuss the subject of repair and permit the flow of oil until the evacuation of “aggressive Jewish forces from Sinai and Gaza and their implementation of UN Resolutions.” (Telegram 1562 from Damascus, December 27; Ibid., 883.2553/12–2756)
5. On December 13, the Department instructed its Embassies in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey to inform the host foreign offices that the U.S. Government was seriously disturbed by Syrian reluctance to cooperate with the IPC in measures to reopen the pipeline and would find it extremely helpful if the host governments would make urgent representations to the Syrian Government in this matter. (Circular telegram 498; Ibid., 883.2553/12–1356)
6. Hoover made the representations to Syrian Ambassador Farid Zeineddine on December 14. The memorandum of that conversation is not printed. (Ibid., 883.2553/ 12–1456)