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

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

Washington, April 24, 1968, 2358Z.

152721. Aden 1261,² 1266,³ 1272 (Notal).⁴ Southern Yemen.

1. Appreciate full reporting reftels indicating new Army/radical NLF confrontation may be impending. You, of course, took right line in telling source USG could in no way become involved in internal political affairs PRSY (para 4 Aden 1261).

2. Re source’s curiosity as to reaction USG (para 2 Aden 1272), Embassy should continue policy of refusing be drawn into further elaboration our standard position. Should source again approach you, you will no doubt wish continue play him for maximum intelligence value while making clear USG deals with duly constituted government authorities PRSYG. As source aware, our contacts with PRSYG continue be correct, despite expulsion DATT in aftermath March 20 events.⁵

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 23-9 S YEMEN. Secret. Drafted by Brewer and approved by Davies. Repeated to Beirut, Jidda, London, CINCSTRIKE, and COMIDEASTFOR.
2. In telegram 1261 from Aden, April 22, Eagleton reported that on April 21 a South Yemeni he did not know had asked to see him, said he represented those in the NLF who could not accept its drift toward extremism and communism, and asked for U.S. assistance. Eagleton responded that the U.S. Government could not in any way become involved in the internal affairs of Southern Yemen. (Ibid.)
3. Dated April 23. (Ibid.)
4. In telegram 1272 from Aden, April 24, Eagleton reported that an NLF official had twice interrogated a part-time Embassy translator regarding the U.S. reaction to an anti-NLF document left with the Embassy on April 21. The employee responded that he had not been given the document to translate and was unable to comment. (Ibid.)
5. On March 26 the People’s Republic of Southern Yemen Government had declared the U.S. Defense Attache persona non grata after alleging that he was implicated in the army’s attempted counter-revolution on March 20. Despite U.S. protests, he was ordered to leave the country by March 28.