SYRIAN-EGYPTIAN UNION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060007-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 14, 2005
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: February 5, 1958
• Content Type: BRIEF

se 2005/04/26 : CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060007-5
5 February 1958
Although the press is treating Egyptian-Syrian union as a fact,
details of union are far from settled, except that Nasir will
be boss. Reactions among Arab states to union vary widely.
II. In Syria, public reaction to last Saturday's declaration was slow--
not until government declared Sunday a national holiday that
celebrations began...parades, banners, slogans chanted.
A. Despite assurance that no drastic economic changes are imminent
Syrian business community is apprehensive over the effect of
union.
1. Heavy demand on foreign exchange developed--dollars, pounds
sterling, Lebanese pounds, and even French francs are
sought to replace Syrian pound holdings. Syrian Central
Bank is making open market purchases of Syrian pounds with
dollars to maintain confidence in the normally strong Syrian
pound. However, the Syrian pound has dropped 10% on the
Beirut free money market.
B. Christians and other minority groups reported disconsolate,
asserting that Communist threat already eliminated and another
dictatorship unwanted. Extra guards on Soviet Embassy, probably
to preclude anti-Soviet demonstrations or bombings.
C. Syrian labor circles decidedly unenthusiastic over prospect
of emigration of "?millions" of Egyptian peasants to Syria,
which would depress wage levels and aggravate unemployment.
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D. These fears and dissatisfactions may generate trouble over
the long-term; at present they are just mutterings.
III. Egyptian officials and public are apathetic although the govt-
controlled press continues to give the union i" full backing.
Radio Cairo now identifies itself as "the United Arab Republic
Broadcasting'Station in Cairo."
A. The schedule for implementation of the union is as follows:
1. On 5 February the Egyptian and Syrian Parliaments "roared
approval" of constitution; President Quwatli has
nominated Nasir as president of union with absolute
power for an indefinite period.
2. On 21 February a plebiscite for approval of president and
transitional constitution; present parliaments to be
dissolved and replaced by a Nasir-appointed 400-man
parliament. Syrian representation would amount to about
one-half. New parliament to be announced about week later.
Nasir will appoint executive councils for both Egypt and
Syria which remain as separate regions.
B. Cairo press reports on temporary constitution state it will
invite other Arab states to join, either in complete unity or
as a part of a federal union--a pitch to those states which
are unwilling to sacrifice their present governmental structures
C. Egyptians, too, are beset by economic worries. Financial
authorities are convinced that any merging of the financial
structure of the two countries would be disastrous for Egypt.
They believe that the economies are too dissimilar and Egypt
is too close to the "financial brink" to undertake even minor
economic adventures.
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as decided to withdraw s am assa ors rom gyp an
Syria.II reeogni.-Lion-- -1re?,=Egyptian-Syrian union,
King Hussayn may follow Iraq's example. However, the Iraqi
foreign.minister has intimated Iraq could not afford to be the
only Arab state, except Jordan, which failed to recognize the
union. He is also anxious to know what the US position will be.
C. In Lebanon, high Christian. officials fear an end to the
precarious balance between Christians and Muslimsas the Muslim
majority falls under the spell of Arab unity. Parliamentary
sessions taking on a confessional character. Some moderate
officials foresee pressure to draw Lebanon away from its pro-
Western orientation and ultimately to some form of union with
the United Arab Republic.
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The country
is entering a period of increased tension, the degree
depending on the extent of Syrian-Egyptian agitation.
D. In Kuwait, gala celebrations, drummed up by Egyptian
teachers welcomed union and advocated Kuwaiti adherence
thereto.
E. Press reports state that Yemen's crown Prince Badr has
arrived in Cairo. Syrian Foreign Minister says Badr
intends to have Yemen confederate with the union.
V. Israeli leaders are doubtful that the union will succeed in
practice. If it does, they believe the union will pose an
immediate danger to Jordan. They say Jordan's adherence would
then be a military threat to their country.
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