Office of the Historian

183. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts0

Washington, March 8, 1963, 9:42 p.m.

1536. Department’s preliminary assessment is that Syrian coup is essentially an attempt to achieve an internal re-alignment which will make SARG more acceptable to both Baghdad and Cairo. As between those poles, new group seems attracted more towards Baath and Iraq. However considerations re military posture towards Israel—which enhance importance UAR—should mean that new group will be even-handed and look for means improving relationship with Cairo. New regime has already served notice that it will lend support to Yemeni republican regime. From perspective Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel, coup is an obviously unfavorable development likely to increase apprehensions of those governments.

Whereas not beyond realm of possibility that there will be early attempt to achieve some kind of federation among Cairo, Baghdad and Damascus, Department would expect this to be at first only the loosest form of association with each country zealously guarding its political autonomy and independent economic system. We would also expect defense establishments remain separate with attempt toward more effective coordination. Only field in which full unification possible could be conduct of foreign policy along non-aligned and anti-Zionist line. However for foreseeable future military posture vis-a-vis Israel likely remain defensive.

New Syrian regime will probably be anti-Communist, though extent to which it will act against Syrian CP members may be tempered a) by vigorous Soviet protests recently made to Iraq and b) by fact that Syrian CP is less of an internal threat than was Iraq CP.

If queried regarding US attitude, you may state US regards this as an internal matter, we hope to establish friendly relations with whatever Syrian government emerges, and we will consider problem of recognition in due course after new regime’s de facto control becomes definitely established.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 26 SYR. Secret. Drafted by Barrow (NEA/NE), cleared by Strong, and approved by Talbot. Sent to London, Paris, Ankara, Rome, Bonn, Tel Aviv, Tehran, USUN, Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Jidda, Taiz, Cairo, Damascus, Rabat, Tunis, Khartoum, Algiers, Tripoli, and Benghazi.↩