Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXI, Near East Region; Arabian Peninsula

115. Telegram From the Department of State to the Consulate in Aden¹

Washington, November 27, 1967, 2247Z.

75257. Aden 640.²

1. Congen quite right (para 4 reftel) no action should be taken which might imply official recognition. At same time, there no objection personal or unofficial evidences of cordiality which could assist in developing contacts with new regime. Because of fast pace of developments, we leave to your judgment those circumstances when such personal acts would be appropriate without implying recognition. As example, we see no objection to your greeting Qahtan at airport should you believe this desirable and other members Consular Corps in attendance.

2. Welcome your efforts establish channel to NLF command for use during period before recognition of new government (para 5 reftel). In course such contacts, you may assure local representatives that Americans friendly and well disposed newly independent state but that your official position must accord with international practice as long as formal recognition not yet established. In particular, formal written communications on government-to-government basis must be avoided.

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 16 ADEN. Secret. Drafted by Brewer, cleared by Robert H. Newman (L/NEA), and approved by Battle. Repeated to Addis Ababa, Beirut, Jidda, London, Asmara, COMIDEASTFOR, and CINCSTRIKE/CINCMEAFSA.
2. In telegram 640 from Aden, November 27, Eagleton reported that in a discussion with U.K. officials as to whether it was appropriate to meet NLF Leader Qahtan al-Shaabi at the airport when he returned from the Geneva negotiations, he stated that the position of the United States was different since it did not want to take any action that might imply official recognition. Eagleton informed the Department that he had made plans to meet informally with NLF Command Council member Abdullah al-Khameri, a former U.S. consulate employee, that evening, with the purpose of establishing a channel to the NLF command to use prior to official recognition of the new government. (Ibid.)