711.90J/1–1745: Telegram

The Consul at Aden (Clark) to the Secretary of State

4. Acting upon oral suggestions made to me in Division Near Eastern Affairs last summer, since my arrival in Aden I have explored possibility of visiting the Yemen. British have not objected though their delicate relations with Imam2 make them wary of Yemeni advances to Americans.3 Delegates from Imam are now at Aden consulting with British and have confidentially asked me to come to Sana where I may discuss how relations between the Yemen and the United States can be strengthened. They mentioned purchases of textile and other machinery and assignment of American experts including medical officers to the Yemen. They even broached question of treaty relations. I said I had no instructions to act but would be glad to pay an informal visit to Sana possibly within a few weeks.

I have informed British in general terms of nature of my proposed visit since I am convinced that attempts to maintain secrecy would be unsuccessful and might discredit us in this area. I did not reveal specific proposals.

Foregoing is informational but I should appreciate Department’s views. Full details being airmailed this week.

Clark
  1. The Imam Yehya bin Mohamed Hamid-ud-din, the King of Yemen.
  2. The Yemeni had been engaged in a border dispute with the British in the Western Aden Protectorate in 1943 and 1944, in the course of which (1944) an agent of the Imam had approached officials of the. United States Legation in Egypt with a request that the United States Government intervene; exchanges between the Department and the British Foreign Office resulted in agreement that the border controversy was primarily a problem of the British Colonial Office.