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

134. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Southern Yemen¹

Washington, February 3, 1968, 0055Z.

109563. Aden 924.²

1. Concur would be useful again seek meeting with President al Shaabi. Believe preferable you not request appointment “on instructions,” however, but rather state you interested maintaining close contact and assuring highest level PRSY fully informed USG views on number subjects on which you have current guidance.

2. Concerning Yemen you should take following line: USG disappointed over lack success to date of Arab Tripartite Committee to bring conflicting sides together. USG continues hold view that settlement Yemen’s problems should be arrived at peacefully by Yemenis themselves. Despite allegations in some quarters, USG is not involved. There no Americans on either side current conflict and USG not extending support to either. We have clearly stated our opposition foreign intervention, position which NLF should understand and appreciate. USG has no chosen instrument in Arab world nor is type of government in Yemen our concern. We hope President Shaabi and his government who are in position establish truly independent and non-aligned state themselves will not be misled by unsubstantiated allegations re US policy.

3. Line you have taken in previous meetings with President and with cabinet Ministers in response request for assistance has been correct. We have little to add. You may wish again refer to Peace Corps but should not push view apparent PRSY lack of interest. You should avoid discussing question military training spaces since no decision yet taken and favorable action cannot be assumed. You may of course reiterate offers (as per 1968 allocation sheets sent to Embassy) of cultural exchange scholarships and leader grant.

4. With respect Persian Gulf, you should make clear USG has no intention replacing British. We hope littoral states themselves will seize opportunity to resolve differences and to establish relationships mutually acceptable to them which will contribute peace and orderly development of Gulf region.³

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL S YEMEN-US. Secret. Drafted by Dinsmore and Brewer on February 2; cleared by CU Near Eastern Programs Chief David Scott, McCloskey, and Quinn (DOD/ISA); and approved by Brewer. Repeated to Jidda.
2. In telegram 924 from Aden, January 31, Eagleton reported that he thought it was time to see al-Shaabi again, since much had happened since his courtesy call on the President on December 14 (see Document 120), and suggested that it would be useful if he could ask to see him “under instructions from the Department.” (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL S YEMEN-US)
3. In telegram 1010 from Aden, February 20, Eagleton reported that on February 19 he met alone with President al-Shaabi, who was friendly and whose delivery was calm and moderate in contrast to his fiery stance on public occasions. Eagleton noted that the main purpose of the meeting had been to clarify U.S. policy in the area, particularly U.S. nonintervention in the internal affairs of North and South Yemen. (Ibid.)