Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XVII, Near East, 1961–1962

158. Telegram From the Embassy in Lebanon to the Department of State⁰

Beirut, January 8, 1962, 8 p.m.

659. With the arrest of Abdullah Saade and other PPS leaders,¹ Lebanese authorities are likely to learn from interrogations that [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] had continuing relationships with PPS since 1958. Hopefully interrogators would also acquire sufficient background evidence of coup attempt of 31 December to reach their own conclusion that US Government in no way involved. While we cannot predict what action Government of Lebanon might take in response to evidence [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] as may come to light, there is some basis for hope that GOL would explore matter discreetly with Embassy prior to any public charges.

There is always possibility that an irresponsible official such as Kamal Jumblatt² (who appears to be exploiting present situation to settle scores with PPS and its friends) may give publicity to USG connections with PPS, or without GOL sanction. This might be as part of GOL attempt to divert attention from current Lebanese feelings that arrests, interrogations, and investigations are excessively harsh. If USG connections with PPS are publicized, widespread allegations against British involvement in coup may help blunt impact of charges relating to Americans.

[less than 1 line of source text not declassified] I [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] opposed to taking any special defensive initiative in advance of any GOL inquiry or in advance of any press reports of USG and PPS associations. Such initiative is only likely to be interpreted as admission of guilt or cover-up for actual involvement in coup. Meanwhile my response to Takla’s probing (Embtel 651)³ may have effect of forestalling GOL suspicions of USG.

[1 paragraph (7–1/2 lines of source text) not declassified]

Meyer

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 783A.00/1–862. Top Secret; [distribution indicator not declassified].
1. At dawn on December 31, members of the Syrian National Party (PPS) staged an attempted coup against the Lebanese Government. The Lebanese Army and security forces promptly suppressed it. Reports from the Embassy in Beirut and other posts in the region concerning the coup are ibid., 783A.00.
2. Hereditary Druze chieftain and Lebanese Minister of State for the Interior and Planning Services.
3. Meyer reported in telegram 651 from Beirut, January 6, that when Lebanese Foreign Minister Takla referred to recent developments in Lebanon, Meyer had assured him that the United States had no advance indications of the recent coup attempt and that the United States believed that the internal politics of Middle Eastern states and interstate relationships were matters for decision of the people of the area and that there was no change in the traditional U.S. disposition to be a friend of Lebanon. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.83A/1–662)