Office of the Historian

327. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Lebanon1

Washington, September 20, 1958—2:16 p.m.

1307. Embtel 1627.2 Principally because of need to coordinate US withdrawal from Lebanon with UK withdrawal from Jordan we have come to conclusion date of October 15, which was selected as tentative one for contingency planning purposes, is too early for completion US withdrawal from Lebanon. End of October is more realistic target.

We have informed Defense of above view, and it has been agreed no operations will now be undertaken based on October 15 as target date for completion. However, routine loading of heavy equipment from Lebanon will continue, and shipping will be unobtrusively gathered together for use in withdrawal operation with possible termination toward end of October, should this time be decided upon.

Meanwhile we are discussing with UK here coordination re US and UK withdrawals, and hope soon to have an agreed proposed schedule.

We are also working on a draft US-Lebanese communiqué on US withdrawal from Lebanon which we will send to you for comment.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 783A.00/9–1958. Top Secret. Drafted by Rockwell and cleared by Rountree and Godley. Repeated to London and CINCNELM REAR.↩
  2. Document 325.↩