983A.531/2–850
The Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (McGhee) to the Lebanese Minister (Malik)
My Dear Mr. Minister: You will recall that during our conversation of February 8, 19501 I mentioned the matter of regulations being applied by Lebanon which are adversely affecting American shipping, commerce and tourism in the Near East. I said that Lebanon, which has a long-standing tradition of hospitality toward foreign shipping, commerce and tourism, was applying restrictions even more stringent than certain of the other Arab states.
The regulations to which I referred concern three interrelated questions upon which the United States Government has made known its views to the Government of Lebanon on a number of occasions. These are (1) restrictions on direct shipping services in the Eastern Mediterranean which normally include both Arab and Israel ports; (2) discrimination on grounds of race or religion in the issuance of Lebanese visas; and (3) prohibitions against issuance of visas to bearers of passports containing Israeli visas.
Although other Arab states, notably Egypt, have relaxed these restrictions considerably, the American Legation at Beirut has thus far been unable to obtain a firm indication of Lebanese policy.
Subsequent to our conversation of the other day it was reported that Lebanon had submitted these questions to the Arab League for adoption of a uniform Arab policy. In the meantime, it is understood from Lebanese authorities that:—
- (1)
- Lebanon will permit shipping operations between Lebanese and Israeli ports in both directions. The Lebanese Government is attaching such stringent restrictions and controls relative to bunkering [Page 747] of vessels, and embarkation and debarkation of passengers, crews and cargoes on such connecting services, however, as to render practical operations exceedingly difficult.
- (2)
- Lebanon favors a non-discriminatory policy in the matter of visa issuance but is awaiting confirmation that other Arab States are adopting such a policy.
- (3)
- Lebanon has eliminated the prohibition against issuance of visas to bearers of passports containing Israeli visas and will continue to follow such a policy unless a contrary uniform policy is adopted by the states members of the Arab League.
On the latter two questions, however, this Government has received disturbing reports to the effect that a Lebanese-sponsored proposal in the Arab League to unify Arab policy has resulted in a declaration which aims at a reinstatement of the restrictive visa policies followed by the Arab States during the Palestine controversy. The United States Government sincerely hopes these reports are without foundation.
As I mentioned during our discussion, the United States Government believes that in the light of the armistices in the Near East which have been in effect for over one year and the generally peaceful conditions prevailing, such restrictive policies are anachronistic and unwarranted. Moreover, the maintenance of restrictions and controls discouraging foreign shipping, commerce and tourism is, in this Government’s view, hardly in keeping with Lebanese traditions and is depriving Lebanon of considerable benefit in revenues, including scarce foreign exchange.
The United States Government, therefore, hopes that Lebanon will shortly take concrete action to liberalize shipping and visa policies, and that if a uniform policy is to be adopted by the Arab states, Lebanon will exert its utmost efforts to influence such a policy in the direction of a removal of all the present burdensome restrictions preventing a restoration of normal freedom of movement and peaceful trade in the Near East.
Sincerely yours,