New York Times profile of Mamoun Kuzbari - 01/10/1961

Mahmoun Al-Kuzbari, the new Syrian Premier, is a conservative, a mild mannered man toward whom dynamic politicians turn in explosive situations. The Arabic meaning of his first name - “the trusted one”- is apt.

 

A friend here described him yesterday as “bookish rather than a scholar, and a man you could fairly call colorless.” It is, oddly, such qualities that have brought him responsible leadership in times of political stress.

 

The friend called him “no demagogue, not a typical politician, and he cannot claim any roots in the masses.” In the politics of the Arab world, the friend added, Mr. Kuzbari is a man with no enemies and probably no real friends; That is to say, he is not a figure of controversy.

 

“He does not arouse strong feelings,” the friend said.

 

A law professor at Syrian University in Damascus and a practicing lawyer, he had some experience in administrative and parliamentary government when Col. Adib Shishekly, the strong man who ruled Syria before her union with Egypt, picked him as his Vice President in 1953. Mr. Kuzbari served as caretaker President for two days.

 

Family Is Prosperous

 

Mr. Kuzbari continued as Vice President until 1954, when he became a member of the Syrian Parliament, in which he served until the birth of the United Arab Republic four years later. In typical fashion, he carried on quietly and methodically.

 

He is the son of a rich, influential Damascus family of traders and landowners. The family is described as “not millionaires, perhaps, but well off.” The Premier lives in the old family house in the center of Damascus, where he was born in 1914.

 

There he was educated at the College des Freres. He then attended the University of Beirut, a breeding ground for young Arab nationalists who opposed the French mandate in Syria. He won political influence by heading the Arab Liberation party at home. This was dissolved after union with Egypt. Later he earned a doctorate in law at the Sorbonne in Paris.

 

Mr. Kuzbari first ventured into public life in 1948 as legal counsel for the Department of State Property. He held similar posts for the Ministry of Public Works in 1950 and for the Treasury in 1950-1953. He served as Speaker of Parliament in the latter year.

 

In Several Cabinet Posts

 

He later held several Cabinet posts. One of his last was that of Minister of Justice and of Labour and Social Affairs in the Left-wing cabinet of Premier Sabri al-Assali, that was set up in 1956 during a political crisis. Mr. Kuzbari held the jobs until Syria was united with Egypt.

 

The new Premier is of medium height and medium build and dresses well but always conservatively. He is soft spoken and, unlike the average Arab politician, he does not talk much.

 

“He could easily be mistaken on Fifth Avenue for an average New York businessman,” the friend said.

 

His only recreation is reading. He does not hunt, as many Arabs do, not does he frequent the clubs of Damascus, as most Damascus politicians do. He has been somewhat inconspicuous since his brief moment as President. He is regarded as an expert on real estate and property rights and has written several books dealing with the subjects.