Editorial Note
President Zaim of Syria informed Minister Keeley on July 30 that a formal request would be addressed to the United States Government for certain military equipment and uniforms, to be used by internal security forces. The Legation suggested that the Department would “wish examine request in light political consideration Syrian goodwill toward and cooperation in UN–US plans refugee resettlement.” (telegram 420, August 1, 5 p. m., from Damascus, 890D.24/8–149)
The formal request was made on July 30 in a letter from the Chief of the Military Cabinet of the President of the Syrian Government to Minister Keeley. Damascus transmitted a copy to the Department on August 1 in despatch 187 (890D.24/8–149).
Marginal notations on telegram 420 state that a reply to Damascus and a circular telegram were drafted on August 5. They were not sent and copies have not been found in the files of the Department. A further marginal notation states that “Reply not necessary because of Aug 14 coup d’état”. For documentation on the several coups in Syria in 1949, see pages 1630 ff.