Office of the Historian

257. Telegram From the Embassy in Syria to the Department of State1

Damascus, December 11, 1965, 1120Z.

184. US-Syria. Deptel 115.2

1)
FonMin Makhus received Amb with Earle Russell (NEA/NE) Dec 9 for two and half hours discussion US-Syrian relations. Meeting had positive accent. Makhus seemed to want lengthy exchange to give latitude for mutual effort “to clear the air.” He obviously hopes US will ponder and understand SARG’s positions better; we hope Makhus will use his political influence to get others in leadership group thinking about better relations with US.
2)
Amb commented on Baath’s distorted concepts of US aims and policies, laying special stress on regrettable fact that SARG/Baath media have nothing but vitriol for US and fawning praise for Commie camp. Referring to recent Baath theme that imperialism led by US is plotting SARG downfall, Amb declared allegations of US involvement in such activities completely false and requested Makhus to notify him if SARG ever had evidence it believed supported such suspicion. Amb also explained SARG very mistaken if it expects it can kick US and at same time get US sympathy re Palestine and economic cooperation.
3)
Makhus made intense presentation of Baath’s broad criticisms of US Palestine policy and US use of its power vis-a-vis small countries.
4)
He also kept probing lightly re US intentions toward Syria in economic field. According to some quarters, Makhus stated, US A) is putting economic pressure on Syria, B) will not make available to Syria significant assistance, C) is keeping West Germany from moving ahead on Euphrates Dam project. Main thrust of his comments was that SARG would favor moving ahead on economic cooperation (memcon by pouch).

Comment: In sum Makhus position seemed to be that expanded Syro-US economic relations are possible and desirable within some [Page 527] rigid limitations of Baath principles. Makhus statements also suggest to us that even some “principles” might be pushed aside if inducement were great enough.

We will continue explore opening which has been created. In another round with FonMin Amb plans to trace past and present US activities in econ and commercial field and what we prepared to do. Appreciate Dept’s consideration possible aid to Syrian hospitals. We envisage any new US “assistance” to Syria’s economic development as being on business basis.

Smythe
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL SYR–US. Confidential. Repeated to Amman, Aleppo, Baghdad, Beirut, Bonn, Cairo, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv.↩
  2. Telegram 115 to Damascus, December 8, noted that Embassy reports suggested high officials in the new Syrian Government might wish for better U.S.-Syrian working relations, which the Department of State would favor, and set forth points for discussion with the Syrian Foreign Minister. (Ibid.)↩