In Damascus, Syrian Foreign Minister Abdul Halem Khaddam predicted that diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Syria will be resumed “very shortly”, an indication that an announcement to that effect probably will be made during Nixon’s stay there. Syria broke diplomatic ties with Washington during the 1967 Six-Day War. Nixon’s visit to the Syrian capital will be the first time an incumbent President of the U.S. has visited a country with which the U.S. has no formal diplomatic relations.
In announcing the details of the Nixon Middle East trip, White House Deputy Press Secretary Gerald Warren said, “Over the past seven months we have witnessed a definite strengthening of mutual trust and confidence between the U.S. and Middle Eastern countries. It is the President’s intention to confirm personally his dedication to carrying forward this position. The President’s trip to the Middle East will serve to ratify the new environment that now exists in the area and will afford an opportunity at the highest level for each of the parties involved to consolidate what has been achieved.
