Independence Of Syria Accepted By Nasser

Press, Volume C, Issue 29638, 7 October 1961, Page 11

Independence Of Syria Accepted By Nasser

(N.Z. Press Association-Copyright)

DAMASCUS, October 6. Syria’s new leaders today welcomed virtual acceptance of their country’s independence by President Nasser, the Associated Press reported.

After hearing President Nasser state in a broadcast last night that he would not block Syrian membership in the United Nations or the Arab League, the revolutionary Prime Minister (Dr. Mamoun Kuzbari) declared: "We are happy that President Nasser understands the true situation. We extend to him and the Egyptian people a friendly hand for new friendly relations of the basis of liberty and legality.”

“Threat To Arabs” During his broadcast. President Nasser said the events in Syria threatened the Arab nation and scattered its forces so that it could not face the real enemy imperialism and reaction. “I feel at this moment it Is not imperative that Syria should remain part of the U.A.R.

“But it is imperative that Syria should live and continue as part of the greater Arab homeland.” he said, reported the British United Press. But he added that his United Arab Republic Government would not recognise

any Government in Damascus until the Syrian people had expressed their will and determined the road they would follow. He said that in the week since the coup the new Syria had been recognised by only Jordan, Nationalist China, Turkey, Guatemala, and Iran. He listed them as follows: “The remnants of the dynasty which betrayed Arab history in Amman; the Government of Chiang Kai-shek who was driven from China to Formosa; the military fascist Government In Turkey; the Government of the United American Fruit Company in Guatemala; apd the Government of the Friends of Israel in Teheran." Diplomatic observers in Cairo said later that the speech amounted to an admission that the union of Egypt and Syria in the UA.R. was over. Airports Reopened

Syria reopened its airports yesterday as life returned to near normal a week after the revolution, said the Associated Press.

Damascus itself was festooned with coloured lights that were raised earlier to celebrate the swift revolution that wrenched Syria free from the United Arab Republic.

While President Nasser made his announcement in Cairo, the Syrian leaders themselves were issuing a call for friendship and a truce in the propaganda war between Syria and Egypt. “We have forgotten that you ordered your troops to crush our revolution,” said Damascus Radio. “What is left between us now is a war of words, radio and blasphemies ... so stop this war and we will do likewise.”

With Damascus quiet, the Government is to prepare the new republic for elections within four months, according to Government statements. But traces of revolution are still evident. Borders are partially sealed to normal traffic, and all schools and universities are still closed.

Damascus newspapers reported yesterday that the Army had uncovered three

radio transmitters in houses of Egyptian officers now under arrest in barracks. The United States State Department said yesterday that the question of United States recognition of the Syrian Revolutionary Government was “still under study.” The department’s spokesman was replying to questions at his press conference.