338. Telegram From the Embassy in Lebanon to the Department of State1
1757. Since political situation has shown little sign of improvement in recent days I have decided to move more energetically in taking up Gemayel’s request for my good offices reported Embassy telegram 1724.2 I have asked Prime Minister Karame, Foreign Minister Takla, Gemayel and two of his Henchmen, Kamal Jumblat, Henri Pharaon, Maurice Zwein, Pierre Edde, Takieddine Solh, Ghassan Tweini, Joseph Skaff and Adel Osseiran to meet at my house at six this evening to see if some formula cannot be found which will end general strike in Beirut and, in effect, terminate this civil war.
Formula I propose to suggest has three main points:
- 1)
- Vote of confidence for Karame Cabinet.
- 2)
- Widening of Karame cabinet to grant 3 and possibly 4 portfolios to pro-Chamoun Loyalists or Christian elements who now feel without representation in Government.
- 3)
- Karame government and parliamentary deputies to agree on enlarging parliamentary representation from 66 to 88 seats.
Foregoing possible solution would satisfy practically everyone and at same time keep within strict constitutional bounds. Chehab has already told me he is willing to broaden cabinet after vote of confidence; and he has indicated his personal preference for enlarging parliament to 88 seats. Moslem opposition, including Jumblat’s Druzes, should be pleased to have a chance to increase their representation in parliament while, at same time, so-called Loyalists should [Page 589] have an equal opportunity to contend for these new seats. Loyalists and Christians should be appeased if they are given what they regard as a fair representation in Karame government.
I tried out this idea this morning when I visited Greek Orthodox Archbishop Saleeby who was on point this afternoon of announcing a call for Moslems and Christians to get together in conference in an effort to work out present impasse. Saleeby was so pleased with formula he said he would prefer to stay his own hand until outcome of tonight’s meeting at Embassy residence is clear. Other Christians with whom I have discussed foregoing outline likewise feel it is just and has a possibility of acceptance.
Main criticism of my formula is that it is too equitable and logical. This of itself is almost a disqualification in present-day Lebanon. However, the Archbishop said he would pray for my success.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 783A.00/9–3058. Secret. Repeated to Cairo, London, and USUN.↩
- In telegram 1724 from Beirut, September 28, McClintock reported on a conversation with Phalange Chief Pierre Gemayel in which Gemayel requested McClintock’s good offices in negotiating with the Chehab government to end the general strike which the Phalange had called. Gemayel stated that he was prepared to negotiate on the basis of two principles: that the kidnappers or murderers of Haddad be swiftly sought out and brought to justice, and that a political solution be developed based on “peace without victory.” McClintock agreed to try to help find a solution to the dispute. (Ibid., 783A.00/9–2858; included in the microfiche supplement)↩