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

182. Memorandum From the Director of Intelligence and Research (Hilsman) to Secretary of State Rusk⁰

Washington, March 8, 1963.

INTELLIGENCE NOTE

• Syrian Coup Again To Put Arab Unity to Test

Syrian Army Revolts. A Syrian Army group headed by a National Council of the Revolutionary Command has overthrown the Syrian Government and assumed power. Assurances of support from a number of military units around the country appear to afford the new group a good chance of success. No leaders of the Council have yet been identified. The tone of a proclamation defining its aims, however, indicates that the new regime will be anti-Communist and will favor “Arab unity on a sound basis.” It identifies the revolution with the “liberated” states (i.e., the UAR, Yemen, Iraq, and Algeria).

Cairo and Baghdad React With Alacrity. The UAR and the new revolutionary regime in Iraq greeted the Syrian coup enthusiastically. Both warned against any outside interference, and Iraq has placed its Army at Syria’s disposal. Nasser is likely to attempt to exploit the present situation in Syria to offset his defeat there a year and a half ago and to bolster his recent success in the Yemen. Unless the UAR and Iraq have reached a solid basis of understanding on the course of Arab unity, a contest between them for dominance in Syria may again develop.

Implications for Area Monarchs. Now surrounded by “liberated” states, King Husayn and Crown Prince Faysal will consider their positions even more precarious. They may, therefore, seek more concrete assurances of support from the United States.¹

0. Source: Department of State, NEA/NE Files: Lot 65 D 28, Syrian Coup. Secret.
1. At the March 8 Secretary’s staff meeting, Talbot “commented briefly on the effects on Jordan and Saudi Arabia of the coup in Syria. Regarding Yemen, he said that the royalists’ position had worsened.” (Department of State, Secretary’s Staff Meetings: Lot 66 D 147) Later that day, Secretary Rusk responded to a question asked at a news conference by stating that the United States was concerned about the independence of the Arab states, and he noted in particular: “We are very much interested in the independence and security of our friends in Jordan and Saudi Arabia and will be very much alert to any threats against them.” For text, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1963, p. 602.